IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


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Hiotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14S80 

(716)  877-4503 


SLtf 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductlons  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


vV 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  l.istitute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographicaily  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reoroduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6X6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  ,oeuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  una 
modification  dans  la  m6thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


□    Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

□    Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagde 

□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pelliculde 


D 


n 


Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.a.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 


□   Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

I      I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 


>/ 


Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pelliculdes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d^color^eo.  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tach6es 


Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


□    Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Qualit^  indgale  de  I'impression 

□    Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  material  supplementaire 


n 


D 


D 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

Lareliure  serr6e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  Mi  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires; 


□    Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


n 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure. 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmies  6  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meiileure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  le  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

>/ 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


WB 


fier 

e 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Seminary  of  Quebec 
Library 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  filmi  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Siminaire  de  Quebec 
Bibliothdque 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin.  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  l'exemplaire  fiimi,  et  en 
conformity  avec  ies  conditions  du  contr  it  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropnate.  Al! 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplalres  originaux  dont  la  cuverture  en 
papier  est  imprim6e  sont  film6s  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impression  ou  d'iilustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  ies  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmte  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iilustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —^(meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  Y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  ie 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmis  d  des  taux  de  reduction  dS/f6rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  filmd  A  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


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2 

3 

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RAMA. 


V 


PLATED  FOR  THE  FIRST  TIME  BY  THE  TOUNQ  LADIES  OF  THl 

ACADEMT  OF  THE  SISTERS  OF  THE  HOLY  CHILD, 

AT  SHARON,  PA.,  JANUARY  31,  1865. 


v'   -.t''.'|.." 


NEW   YORK 


D.  &  J.  SADLIER  &  CO.,  31  BARC 
BOSTON  :— 128  FEDERAL  STB! 
MONTREAL  :-~COB.  NOTBE  DAMK  AND  8T.  F 

1866. 


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Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1864,  by 

D.  &  J.  SADUER  &  CO., 

la  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Couv;  of  the  United  States,  for  Van 

Southern  District  of  New  York 


Stereotyped  by  VINCENT  DILL, 

No.  34  Beelunan  St.,  N.  Y. 


K-^ 


inntatis    |us0nae. 


/  OiEciLiA,  Virgin  Martyr. 

\  AoNps,  an  Orphan.  > 

t  Egeria,  a  Roman  Lady. 

QuiNTiLiAN,  Father  of  Caocilia. 

TiBURTius,  her  Brother. 

Valerian,  her  Betrothed. 

•  Urban,  the  Pontiff. 

•  Athanasius,  his  Deacon. 
Septimius,  a  Gambler. 
Almachius,  Prefect  of  Rome. 
Decius,  an  Apostate. 
Niger,  a  Numidian  Slave. 
Alexander  Severus,  the  Emperor. 
Hercules  Maxim  in,  his  Lieutenant. 
"Wedding   Guests,  Flamens,  Citizens,  Guards, 

Christians,  Executioners,  &c. 


SCENE— ROME.    TIME.— REIGN  OF  ALEXANDER  SEVE- 
RUS. 

Regarding  the  costumes,  it  would  be  impossible  to 
imitate  correctly  the  dress  of  the  age  that  toierated  a 
Heliogabalus,  but  the  Christians  ought  to  be  more  simply 
and  humbly  costumed  than-  the  others.  Caecilia  and 
Agnes,  white  dresses,  without  any  ornament  whatever; 
Egeria,  on  the  contrary,  richly  attired.    Foi-  the  men, 

consult  Roman  Antiquities.  ^ 

'  '  -  //' 


I 


.   i. 'Iif-r -^jg  j,j.^..-?.^jfc.»..aJtt-t] 


CJECILIA. 

A   ROMAN    DRAMA. 

MATED  FOR  THE  PmST  TIME  BY  THE  YOUNG  LADIES  OP  THE 

ACADEMY  OP  THE  SISTERS  OF  THE  HOLY  CHILD 

AT  SHARON,  PA.  JANUARY  31,  1865. 


ACT    I. 

SCENE  I.-MANSION  OF  QUINTILI AN— CECILIA'S  CHAM- 
BER. 

M  tlis  hackj  a  smaU  Altar  partly  concealed  by  curtains  or  tape»- 
try.  OiEciLiA,  on  her  knees  before  ity  sings  a  hymn  of  praise 
to  God. 

Enter  Agnes. 
Agnes.  Caecilia,  quick !  thy  father  ! 

CcBcUia.  (  Rising  and  addressing  the  Altar. )    Shrine  of  hope 
And  boundless  love !  sweet  comfort  of  my  soul ! 
Oasis  of  life's  desert,  where,  refreshed, 
The  weary  pilgrim  joyfully  pursues 
His  course  to  Heav'n  ;  and  fears  no  more  the  dread 
Simoom  of  Sin  and  Death.    I  must  conceal 
Thy  radiance  'till  that  blessed  day  when  all 
Within  these  walls  the  true  God  shall  acknowledge. 


"^■r- 


*.  avSLi  jt.  ji  »<AarA.ij«u.  _iL  J  a.^   t 


j-    *   ,^i     t— ^->BV^  - 


G 


CECILIA. 


Oh,  may  tho  Bread  of  Life,  which  thou  containest 
My  weakness  strengthen. 

(^Draws  the  curtains  across^  concealii.g  the  Altar.) 

Now,  sweet  Agnes,  say 
"What  errand  brings  my  father  hither,  when 
The  Senate — if  that  shadow  of  old  Rome 
Deserve  the  title — claims  his  presence. 

Agnes.  Ah ! 

Dear  sister,  mother,  friend !  for  since  the  day 
Thou  savedst  me  from  the  hands  of  those  hard  men 
That  orphaned  me,  thou  hast  been  all  to  me. 
Faith,  strength  and  courage  summon  to  thy  aid ; 
For  never  was  more  need  of  them  than  now. 
Thy  father,  stung  by  dark  Almachius'  taunts, 
Resolves  to  wed  thee  to  the  young  Valerian. 

Enter  Quintilian,  unperceived. 

"Who  will,  he  says,  redeem  thee  from  the  shame 
Of  being  a  Christian. 

Quintilian.  Yes !  the  load  of  shame 

And  foul  disgrace,  which  thou  upon  our  house, 
Rome's  first  and  noblest,  by  thy  creed,  hast  brought. 
Mehercle  !  how  my  old  blood  boiled  to-day 
Beneath  that  upstart's  sneer.    I  saw,  methought, 
My  ancestors,  majestic  shades  around 
Me  hovering.    Stern,  reproachful  looks  they  cast 
On  me,  that  I  should  have  a  Nazarene  child. 
But  I  have  sworn  this  night  thou  shalt,  must,  wed 
Valerian. 

CcBcUia.         Father,  I  am  Another's  spouse. 


CECILIA. 


Quint.  Another's  spouse ! 
child,  dared 
You  wed  a  Nazarene  ? 


What  mean  you?    Speak, 


Qxcilia.  No,  father,  no. 

The  Rose  of  Sharon,  He,  Whose  thorn-crowned  head 
AVas  bowed  with  weight  of  Love  on  Calvary's  tree ; 
Whose  Sacred  Heart  was  pierced,  and  Whose  delight 
Is  ever  with  the  sons  of  men  to  be. 
Can  I  forget  my  troth  to  such  a  Spouse 
As  He? 

Quint.  What  wild  thoughts,  child,  possess  thy  heart? 
Fool  that  I  was  to  harbor  Urban  here. 
When  Judgment  weakly  bent  at  Pity's  call. 
Daughter,  thy  father's  will  must  bo  obeyed  ! 
Valerian  shail  redeem  thee  from  the  sway 
Of  the  Crucified,  and  wash  away  our  shame. 

CmcUia.  The  shining  hosts  of  heaven  will  still  he  near 
And  in  the  hour  of  trial  will  protect 
His  spouse. 

Quint.  Again  that  name  !  ungrateful  child, 

Forbearance  shall  no  longer  shelter  thee. 
A  foolish,  doting  father  have  I  been, 
Anticipating  every  wish  of  thine; 
A  mother's  lost  care  have  I  tried  to  fill 
And  make  thee  happy.    In  an  evil  hour 
Came  that  false  Nazarene  chief,  and  changed  thee  thus. 
Cascilia,  spare  those  grey  hairs,  spare  thy  sire, 
And  let  him  not  go  down  to  Pluto's  realm 
Dishonored  by  his  child.    Valerian's  here, 
And  all  the  wodding  guests ;  my  promise  given. 


8 


OiEOILIA. 


I  wish  to  leave  thee,  ere  my  thread  of  life 
la  severed  by  the  Parca),  with  a  kind, 
Devoted  husband,  as  thy  brother  goes 
At  once  to  join  the  £mperor  in  the  East. 

Concilia.  Dear  father  !  each  word  falls  like  molten  lead, 
Searing  my  soul.    Oh,  no !  yet  many  years 
Before  thou  leav'st  me  !    Who  could  then  supply 
My  loss  1    Thy  tender  lov  ,  thy  constant  care  1 
Valerian  I  esteem,  but  father,  thou 
Art  dearer  far  than  life.    Oh,  ask  mo  not 
To  leave  thee  now. 

Quint.  Valerian  shall  remain 

With  thee  and  me  here  when  Tiburtius  leaves. 
Now  all  is  ready  for  the  rites  of  Hymen  1 

CcBcUia.  My  vow !  a  virgin's  vow !    It  cannot  be,        t 
Urge  me  not  to  these  sacrilegious  rites. 
I  cannot  wed  Valerian,  and  be  true 
To  Him,  who  first  possessed  my  soul. 

Quint.  Then  hence ! 

'Away !  ungrateful  child !  yet  stay, — no  more 
Thy  stubborn  spirit  shall  be  conqueror.    Hero 
It  shall  be  crushed  this  instant. 

(Riishing  to  the  door  and  flinging  it  open.)    Ho  !  in  there  I 

jCwfer Valerian,  Tiburtius, wi^^  Wedding  Guests,  FlaToens^  ^c. 

Friends  !  look  on  yonder  disobedient  child, 
A  slave  to  Christ,  the  Nazarene,  she  dares 
Prefer  Him  to  her  father's  love.    Be  thine 
The  work  of  her  redemption  from  His  sway, 
Valerian.    Flamen,  Hymen's  rites  perform. 


.**■'' ■"■^^i;- 


mmmm 


OiEOILIA. 


Cacilia.  Valerian,  father,  brother,  friends  !  lend  not 
Your  countenance  to  this  outrage.    Spare  me,  for 
I  am  Another's  bride. 


Valerian. 


What? 


Quint. 
Some  foolish  Nazarene  vow. 


Heed  her  not, 


Cacilia.  A  Heavenly  Spouse 

Is  mine,  beyond  concepticii  beautiful. 

Val.  A  Rhea  Sylvii !    Pray,  which  god  is  blest  7 

CcBcUia.  Blaspheme  Him  not,  Valerian.    He  is  God. 
The  only  God,  th'  Eternal,  Self  Existing. 
He  sits  in  majesty  above  the  clouds, 
And  holds  the  fate  of  mankind  in  His  hand. 

Quint.  How  can  a  Being  of  such  majesty 
Concern  Himself  about  th'  affairs  of  ants 
On  the  mole  hill  of  this  world.    Our  gods  are  like 
Ourselves,  and  listen  to  our  prayers ;  but  He, 
This  God,  as  thou  portrayest  Him,  sits  aloft, 
Self-contemplating,  in  Immensity  wrapt. 
What  cares  He  for  us  ? 

CcBcilia,  His  great  love  for  man 

Drew  Him  down  from  Immensity  to  dust. 

Val.  How  canst  thou  call  that  Nazarene  a  God, 
Whose  life  was  lowly ;  death,  a  malefactor's, 
Who  could  not  save  Himself  from  death  1 


Ccecilia. 
Incomprehensible,  would  die  for  man, 


His  love 


S^»=i**.»..«««"t. 


10 


CECILIA. 


On  Calvary's  Tree  of  Life.    He's  my  Beloved, 

And  I  am  His.    He  spake,  and  sweetly  called : 

"  Arise,  my  love,  my  fair  one,  come'to  me, 

The  winter's  past ;  the  spring  of  grace  is  here." 

He  poured  a  flood  of  sweetness  on  my  soul. 

Such  as  your  Tompe  or  Elysium  ne'er 

Could  picture  to  your  mind.    Bright,  winged  shapes 

And  vistas  of  unutterable  beauty  flash 

Athwart  my  vision  when  I  strike  the  lyre, 

And  sing  His  praise.    I've  heard  at  times  such  strains 

Of  heavenly  harmony,  re-echoing  mine, 

As  would  melt  demons ;  thrilling,  liquid  tones, 

Vibrating  each  chord  inmost  of  the  soul. 

Quint.  A  truce  to  this  wild  folly,  now  prepare 
Thy  husband  to  receive  this  very  night, 
Attending  first  with  him  the  solemn  feast 
In  Juno's  temple. 

Cecilia.  I  commend  myself 

To  my  Beloved  Spouse  and  angels'  care 
To  save  me. 

Val.  Let  us  leave  her  to  reflection. 

Perhaps  Cytherea's  son  may  plead  my  cause. 
Csecilia !  a  true,  devoted  heart  thou  spurnest, 
Whose  every  throb  is  thine  ;  which,  Cheerfully 
Would  pour  its  life-blood  drop  by  drop  for  thee, 

CcBcilia.  (Aside.)  Dear,  dear  Valerian !  how  my  soul  is  rent 
Between  him  and  whom '{    God.    It  must  not  be. 

A  true,  devoted  heart  thou  spurnest What ! 

Spurn  him  !    Can  I  ?    Oh  Saviour  of  Mankind, 
Support  me  in  this  trial.    (Aloiid.)    Give  me  time, 


-•^■-^^aiaf-f:! 


0/EOILTA. 


11 


Valerian !  father !  time  to  call  my  thoughts 
To  judgment,  where,  with  reason  on  her  throne, 
And  feelings  at  the  bar,  perhaps  the  verrlict 
May  prove  a  source  of  happiness. 

Val.  Then  valet 

'May  judgment  be  propitious.    I  will  wait 
Its  sentence;  but  remember  in  thine  hands 
My  destiny's  placed  for  evil  or  for  good. 
Receive  me — and  my  heart  thou  mould'st  at  will ; 
Reject  me — and  thou  sendest  through  the  world 
A  social  pest,  a  pathless,  reckless  soul, 
Possessed  by  Furies,  curse  to  itself  and  all 
"Within  its  Upas  shade.    Forget  it  not, 
Nay,  nay,  I  will  be  thine  in  creed  and  faith 
As  heart,  but  cast  me  not  away  from  thee. 
My  fate  is  trembling  on  thy  lips  ;  thine  eyes 
Diffuse  in  tears ;  thy  heart  swells,  happy  omen  I 
The  gods  have  moved  thee. 

CcBcilia.  Ah  !  those  words,  the  gods 

Drive  back  rebellious  feelings.     Never  can 
My  earthly  spouse  be  slave  to  demons  like  them, 

TUmrtiiis.  This  stubborn  spirit  must  be  broken. 
I  have  a  potent  argument  to  bring 
Thy  wandering  mind  to  reason.    Listen  !    Here 
Thou  wedd'st  Valerian,  or  the  Prefect's  guards 
I  shall  conduct  to  Urban's  place  of  refuge. 
Last  even  near  the  Appian  way  I  sought 
A  shelter  from  the  storm,  but  lost  my  path. 
Marshes  and  fens  I  plunged  through,  when  I  saw 
Half  hidden  'neath  dense  foliage  and  rocks, 
A  cavity.    I  forced  my  body  through 


,    „M«^«hj«mi^.«fc'«»'W'->1«'Xf.„ 


12 


CECILIA. 


The  r;7"3ed  entrance,  anxious  to  explore 

The  secrets  of  the  place,  when  lo  !  I  heard 

The  hum  as  of  a  multitude  :  a  stairs 

Of  rock  led  dowr  as  if  to  Hades ;  then 

A  voice  rose  up  beneath  me  in  the  gloom, 

Uttering  these  strange  words  in  stranger  tone : 

"  I  cried  unto  the  Lord  in  my  distress, 

And  from  mine  anguish  he  delivered  me." 

I  knew  the  voice,  'twas  Urban's,  and  that  cave, 

His  dark  asylum  ;  Nazarenes,  the  crowd. 

I  quickly  left  the  place  unseen,  and  braved 

Again  the  si'orm,  for  fearful  tales  I've  heard 

Of  Christian  vengeance.     Sister,  choose  between 

Thy  wedding  with  Valerian  here  to-night, 

Or  Urban  writhes  to-morrow  on  the  rack. 

CkecUia.  The  emperor  would  not  suffer  such  a  crime. 

Tiburt.  Turcius  Almachius  rules  asemperornow, 
Since  Alexander  left  for  Persia.     Crime  ! 
No  heart  hath  he  but  what  was  petrified 
Long  since  by  crime.    The  sweetest  strains  to  him 
Are  victim's  groans  j  his  keenest  bliss,  their  pangs. 


Val.  Seek  not  by  threats,  Tiburtius  !  e'er  to  win 
A  bride  for  me  ;  her  free  choice  let  her  have, 
But  harm  not  Urban  in  revenge  for  me. 
Caecilia  !  Ah,  thou'rt  silent !    Then  farewell ! 
The  dream  of  my  young  life  is  o'er.    I  go 
Forth  on  the  dreary  world,  alone  and  wretched, 
Oh,  canst  thou  see  me  perish  ?    Black  remorse 
Shall  gnaw  thy  breast.    With  thee  I  might  win  one 
Of  those  bright  names  that  never  die,  but  now 


■■«  -^  *•*.  ii 


j:^'""  *" 


CECILIA. 


13 


(He  is  about  to  leave  the  room^  when  Cecilia 
rtisJies  forward,  placing  her  hand  in  his^ 
and  raisi/r.g  her  left  arm  aloft.) 

CacUia.  Where  thou  art,  Caius,  I  am,  Caia  !    Thus 
I  pledge  my  troth.    Retire,  dear  friends,  awhile, 
I  have  a  secret  for  my  hrsband's  ear. 

Quint.  Now,  thou'rt  my  own  Ctdcilia,  my  sweet  child, 
May  all  the  gods 

Ckcilia.  Thou  knowest,  dear  father,  how 

Discordant  grate  those  false  names  on  mine  ear. 

Quint.  Then  may  thy  mother's  shade  watch  o'er  thee 
child.  \Exit  Quintilian. 

Tiburt.  Sister,  thy  hand !    Forgive  those  words  of  mine. 
Uttered  through  zeal  for  thy  true  happiness. 

[Exit  TiBURTIUS. 

Agnes.  Dear  sister,  may  the  hosts  of  Heaven  defend 
Thee.    Agnes  ever  prays  for  her  Osecilia. 

[Exit  Agnes. 

WEDDING    CHORUS. 

Guests  and  Ftairens : 

Bright  rnd  Elysian  roll  o'er  ye  the  years, 

Banished  be  sorrow  and  care ; 
Ne'er  be  th'  horizon  of  Love  dimmed  with  tears, 
Eros  reign  triumphant  there. 
Circle  the  hours, 
Wreathed  in  flowers, 
Graces  three,  present  be, 
To  bless  this  happy  pair. 


. ,.».  ^f*.  *•  '  *"»* 


14 


CECILIA, 


I    1  "i  ■ 

■A 


Come  from  Cytlierea,  fiir  Queen,  with  thy  Son, 
These  to  thy  sway  are  won, 
These,  these  to  thy  sway  are  won. 

[Exeimt  Guests  and  Flament, 

Ccccilia.  Valerian,  spouse,  there  is  a  heavenly  spirit, 
Winged  with  light,  my  guardian.    He  it  was 
That  whispered  to  my  soul :  "  Espouse  Valerian, 
And  thou  shalt  be  his  saviour,  under  God, 
And  he,  disciple."      (Draws  hack  the  curtains  from  the  AUarJ) 

Lo!  my  secret  shrine  ! 
Where  I  commune  with  Him,  of  whom  I  spoke, 
The  Heavenly  Bridegroom. 


Val 


He !  my  rival  ? 


CcecUia.  No. 

He  wants  thee  for  His  friend.    Oh  !  kneel  with  me, 
And  let  thy  heart  but  breathe  the  wish,  and  thou 
Shalt  know  Him. 

Val.  Cease,  dear  spouse,  these  idle  fancies. 
How  can  I,  scion  of  Rome,  bow  down  to  Him, 
A  Jewish  malefactor  ?    Yet  I  am 
Desirous  still  to  know  Him. 


Kneel  with  me 
(They  kneel.)    Pour  down  thy  grace, 


QEcilia. 
Before  this  shrine. 

OLord! 

On  this  benighted  soul,  and  show  him  here 
Thyself.  (Valerian  falls  prostrate  before  the  Altar.) 

Vale; 'i an !  husband  !  speak  to  me.        (Rvshing  to  the  door.) 
Ho !  father,  friends,  help  ! 


CECILIA. 


15 


Enter  Quintilian,  Tiburtius,  Agnes,  Guests  and  Flament, 

Quint.  Daughter,  what  is  this  ? 

Why  lies  Valerian  still  ? 

Val.    (Rising.)  The  Lord  hath  spoken ! 

Mine  eyes  have  seen  His  glory.     Blessed  be 
Ilis  name  for  ever.    Praise  Him  !  praise  Him,  all  1 

Quint.  Valerian,  speak,  what  means  this  1 

Val.  Streams  of  light 

Deluge  my  soul  with  bliss  unspeakable, 
A  yearning  strange  but  tender  tills  my  heart, 
Hark! 

CHORUS    OF   UNSEEN   SPIRITS. 

Welcome,  youth,  within  our  fold, 

Where  taste  joys,  unseen,  untold. 
Seeking  Urban's  grotto  first, 
Quench  in  draughts  of  Faith  thy  thirst. 

Then  in  blood  that  Faith  be  sealed, 

Ere  to  thee  Heaven  be  revealed. 

{All  sink  on  their  knees ^  with  heads  heni 
down^  and  hands  clasped.) 
Joy  !  the  p<  tent  spell  of  Grace, 
Moves  eacn  heart,  illumes  each  face  j 
Joy !  poor  souls,  to  Heaven  won, 
Bask  ye  in  the  Heavenly  Sun. 
In  the  warm  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
Grasp  ye  soon  the  martyr's  palm. 

(Chorus  melts  away  in  the  distance^  as  the 
Scene  gradually  closes. ) 


di 


it 


16 


O^uILIAt 


I  ' 


i  ; 


SCENE  II.— MANSION  OF  QUINTILIAN— THE  ATRIUM. 

Niger  discovered^  sitting  on  the  Atrien^is^s  seat^  in  the  cmtre, 

Niger.  It  has  often  occurred  to  mo  tvhat  an  unaccount- 
able mistake  Nature  committed  in  making  me  a  slave  in- 
stead of  an  emperor,  general,  or  even  politician.  Although, 
I  must  certainly  thank  her  for  having  exempted  me  from 
the  disgrace  of  being  the  last  of  these  three  human  vultures. 
Why,  the  good  old  lady,  with  all  due  respect,  must  have 
been  napping,  nay,  slightly  inebriated,  at  the  time  she 
placed  an  ambitious  soul,  acquisitive  beyond  limit,  and  a 
cunning  intellect,  in  this  dusky  breast,  and  made  it  the 
footstool  of  another.  Now,  the  brilliant  talents  for  in- 
trigue and  knavery  which  I  modestly  claim  to  possess  in 
the  highest  degree,  should  make  me  the  envied  and  ad- 
mired of  Rome.  Only  think  of  it !  What  general  ever 
carried  a  stronghold  with  more  skill  than  I  did  the  wine 
cellar  the  other  night,  giving  in  the  dark  its  keeper  a  gentle 
tap  on  the  skull  with  his  own  keys,  and  sympathizing  with 
him  the  next  day  when  I  met  him  with  his  head  bandaged. 
Hercules !  what  a  story  he  told  Quintilian  and  the  house- 
hold, how  a  dozen  armed  men  burst  on  him  in  the  cellar 
and  succeeded,  after  a  desperate  struggle,  in  binding  him 
hand  and  foot  while  they  proceeded  to  their  work  of  pil- 
lage. The  pillage  was  confined  to  broaching  an  amphora 
of  wine,  and  the  dozen  men,  your  humble  servant.  He 
he  was  so  drunk,  (or  at  least  the  keys  did  not  agree  with 
his  soft  skull,)  that  he  never  suspected  me.  How  dexter- 
ously I  removed  the  atriensis  with  a  flagon  of  the  same 
wine  diluted  with  a  little  poppy  juice,  and  left  him  lying 
across  Quintilian's  path,  as  it  were,  dead  drunk.  He  was 
Bent  at  once  to  work  in  the  marshes,  and  I  was  promoted 


GyECILIA. 


17 


to  Lis  post.  I  wonder  what  on  eartli  has  come  over  those 
individuals,  father  and  son,  whose  property  I  am.  Com- 
ing through  the  vestibule  this  morning  I  met  the  old 
man,  and  he  desired  me  to  carry  a  letter  to 
Metellus,  his  kinsman,  who  lives,  you  know,   on  the 

Appian  Way,  i]e\t  door   to well  !  no  matter.     His 

ordinary  mode  of   addressing  me  is  :  "  Take   this  let- 
ter, thou  lazy,  good-for-nothing,  graceless  knave,  and  if  it 
is  not  at  its  destination  in  a  few  minutes,  a  whip  of  scor- 
pions shall  make   thy  back  tingle."     Now  this  is  the 
usual  form,  the  proper  vale   but  what  do  you  think  he 
said :  "  Good  Niger,  carry  this  letter  to  Mete'.lus,  and  take 
these  sesterces  as  reward."    I  looked  at  the  man  as  if  he 
had  lost  his  senses :  I  felt  quite  offended  at  his  famil- 
iarity and  departed  without  saying  a  word.    And  Tibur- 
tius,  whom  I  met  at  tho  Capena  Gate,  instead  of  his 
usual  blow  and  imprecation,  to  which  I  was  entitled  by 
long  custom,  also  asked  me  in  a  quiet,  lamb-like  tone,  to 
carry  another  letter  to  an  old  gardiner  that  lives  near  the 
Via  Ardeatina.    What  on  earth  has  moved  them  ?    I  have 
it !    Eureka !    The  old  gardiner  is  a  Christian  and  I 
believe  J.Ietellus  is  no  better.    I  have  not  delivered  the 
letters,  as  both  parties  to  whom  they  were  directed  have 
fled  to  avoid  Almachius's   vengeance.     Here   they  are. 
{Produces  two  rolls  of  papynis.)    It  is  a  very  lucky  thing  my 
master  has  permitted  me  to  learn  to  read,  or  I  could  not 
gain  so  man/  secrets  as  I  have.    (  Unrolls  one  of  the  letters  and 
reads.) 

"  QuiNTiLiAN  to  Metellus,  greeting :  The  light  of  Faith 
hath  shone  o'er  this  house,  the  bonds  of  our  souls  are 
broken.  Haste  to  me,  brother  in  Christ,  and  let  us  com- 
mune together." 


18 


CECILIA. 


i: 


A  Christian  !  Well,  whoever  would  have  told  me  that 
the  stern  old  Quiatilian  should  become  a  Christian,  or 
bend  his  knee  to  anything,  I  would  have  laughed  at  the 
idea,  and  gently  intimated  to  my  informant  that  he  was 

lying  under  a  great  mistake.    ( Unrolls  the  second 

letter.)    Now  to  see  what  the  fiery  young  Tiburtius  says  : 
Mercy  !  worse  than  the  father  !    (Reads.) 

"  Tiburtius  to  Paul,  greeting :  Await  me  to-night  at  thy 
garden  on  the  Via  Ardeatina.  I  have  much  to  tell  thee. 
Grace,  through  the  prayers  of  Caecilia,  is  poured  abun- 
dantly on  all  our  hearts.  Valerian  and  I  will  seek  Urban 
with  thee  to-night." 

Ha  !  ha !  ha  !  The  cynical,  profligate  noble,  too  !  I 
wish  I  could  find  a  liberal  purchaser  for  these  two  pieces 
of  parchment.  Now  for  my  own  prospects.  Christians 
are  easily  gulled  ;  they  bite  at  the  bait  of  seeming  virtue. 
What,  then,  is  the  difliculty  in  my  gaining  the  confidence 
of  my  master  by  pretending  to  be  a  most  honest  rogue, 
and  keep  a  sharp  eye  and  light  fingers  for  any  stray 
sesterces.  (Enter  Septimius,  behind.)  Ah  !  the  sesterces  ! 
the  sesterces  !  There's  my  weak  point,  there  the  vulner- 
able heel  of  this  Achilles. 


1 


S( 

fc 


t 


J 

\ 


],  '?' 


Septimim.  (Advancing  and  clapping  him  on  the  shoulder.) 
Indeed !  wouldst  thou  like  then  to  earn  some  of  these 
sesterces  ? 

Niger.  Quite  an  unnecessary  question,  I  assure  you,  sir. 
What's  the  work  ? 

Sept.  Very  light.  Merely  to  exchange  dress  with  me 
and  allow  me  to  take  thy  place  here  to-night. 


if' 


>,,^' 


C^JILIA. 


19 


me  that 
stian,  or 
d  at  the 
t  he  was 

he  second 
us  says ; 

it  at  thy 
ell  thee, 
d  abun- 
k  Urban 


too!  I 
o  pieces 
ristians 
;  virtue, 
ifidence 
'  rogue, 
y  stray 
sterces ! 
vulner- 


ioulder.) 
•f  these 


Niger.  Very  light,  certainly,  for  you,  I  suppose,  but  the 
scourging  consequent  on  discovery  would  be  very  heavy 
for  me. 

Sept.  Not  the  slightest  danger.  "Will  thy  mistress  pass 
through  the  atrium  to-day  ? 

Niger.  Yes. 

Sept.  Quintilian  and  his  son  will  not  return  to-night  ? 

Niger.  No. 

Sept.  Well,  then,  fifty  sesterces  for  thy  place?  Nol 
Then  one  hundred  ? 

Niger.  (Aside.)  I  wonder  what  villainy  he  meditates. 
All  Rome  knows  Septimius  to  be  a  rascal  of  the  first 
water.  I'll  pump  him  !  (Aloud.)  Well,  it  is  a  very  deli- 
cate matter,  besides  the  risk  and  my  character. 

Sept.  Thy  character,  unconscionable  knave  !  There  can 
be  no  risk,  as  I  can  personate  thee  successfully.  Observe  ! 
my  skin  is  stained  as  dark  as  thine. 

Niger.  But  master  has  given  strict  orders  not  to  allow 
any  of  your  worthy  confraternity,  especially  yourself,  in- 
side these  doors. 

Sept.  My  confraternity !  What  means  he,  knave  ?  I  am 
as  noble  as  he. 

Niger.  That  may  be,  but,  he  says,  you  are  a  distinguished 
member  of  the  dice  confraternity,  instituted  for  the  pur- 
pose of  relieving  spendthrifts  and  verdant  youths  of  their 
sesterces  ;  in  fact,  a  sort  of  branch  of  the  light-fingered 
persuasion. 


20 


CECILIA. 


I 


l:\ 


ii   ' 


'I 

I: 


Sept.  'Tis  false !  Well,  then,  thou  rejectest  my  offer.  I 
will  make  it  two  hundred  ? 

Niger.  (Aside.)  I  must  first  discover  what  plot's  in 
view.  (Aloud.)  But,  suppose,  some  of  the  household 
should  discover  you.  Since  my  mistress  went  to  Brun- 
dusium 

Sept.  Villian,  liar !  Hast  thou  not  told  me  she  will 
pass  through  the  atrium  to-day  ? 

Niger.  Certainly,  she  has  returned  from  Brundusium. 

(Aside.)    I  see  his  drift  now,  an  interview. 

.   Sept.  That  is  sufiBcient.    Thy  dress  ? 

Niger.  Your  chances,  my  friend,  are  rather  slim  in  that 
quarter. 

Sept.  Peace,  knave !  Thou  knowest  not  my  errand.  'Tis 
different. 

Niger.  Oh,  of  course.  I  only  wish  to  tell  you  that  Vale- 
rian and  my  young  mistress  were  marri*  d  last  night. 

Sept,  (Aside.)  Married  last  night !  Then  all  my  hopes 
are  over.  I  thought  the  knowledge  I  had  of  her  being  a 
Christian  might  terrify  her  into  becc^ing  my  bride.  But 
I  shall  be  avenged.  Almachius  shall  be  informed  of  her 
Nazarene  proclivities,  and  she  shall  appear  before  his  tri-'^ 
bunal.  Perhaps  she  has  renounced  them.  She  would  not 
wed  Valerian  and  remain  a  Christian. 

Niger.  You  are  mistaken  there,  friend.  There's  a  secret 
about  the  matter. 


5V 


OiSCIIilA. 


21 


:^ 


t 


Sept.  What  is  it  ?  what  is  it  ? 

iV^iflrer.  iTou  may  bo  a  very  smart  young  man,  but  you 
have  come  to  the  wrong  quarter  for  gratuitous  news. 

Sept,  How  much  is  thy  secret  worth  ? 

Niger.  Ah !  that's  business.    I  like  to  hear  a  man  talk 
common  sense.    It  reminus  me  of  a  little  story 


^         Sept.  Cease  thy  babbling,  and  answer  me. 

Niger.  You  lost  a  good  story  there.    I'd  throw  it  in 
gratis.    Besides,  there's  a  joke  attached  to  it. 

Sept.  To  business,  knave  ! 


Niger.  Well,  then,  you  pay  me  two  hundred  sesterces 
for  the  honorable  privilege  of  representing  me  on  this  seat. 
I'd  prefer  a  more  respectable  representative,  but  we'll 
pass  that  over.  People's  representatives  are  not  always 
faithful  types  of  them. 

Sept.  By  Hades  !  thou  art  worse  than  a  monkey  for  chat 
tering.    Thy  secret  and  price  ? 


Niger.  A  libel !  I  am  prov^'srbially  taciturn.  My  secret 
is  worth  live  hundred. 

Sept.  What  a  gourmand  for  money  !  Dost  take  me  for  a 
Croesus  or  a  Midas  ? 

Niger.  No,  but  for  a  particular  favorite  of  blind  Plutus, 
to  serve  whom  I  am  risking  a  journey  to  Pluto.  These 
letters  (producing  them)  contaii  proofs  of  my  secret. 


Sept.  Well,  then,  take  this  purse ;  thy  demand  is  con- 


sa 


CECILIA. 


Ill 


tained  in  it.  First,  now,  thy  dress  ?  (Niger  throws  of 
his  tunic  or  blouse  ;  they  exchange  cloaks. )  Thy  hat  ?  (  Niger 
crushes  it  down  m  Septimius's  head.)  Insolent  slave  I  I'll 
teach  thee  manners  ! 

Mger.  Nothing  like  expedition.  Excuse  my  excess  of 
zeal  in  your  cause. 

Sepk  Thy  excess  of  presumption !  Thy  secret  and  those 
letters  now ! 

« 

Niger.' My  master  and  his  son,  with  the  newly  wedded 
pair,  are  Christians. 

Sept.  What !  Quintilian,  Valerian,  Tiburtius  1  Impos- 
sible !    Thou  mockest  mo,  slave  ! 

Niger.  Excuse  me,  friend,  you  are  slave  now.  Hero  are 
proofs  (handing  the  letters  to  him). 

Sept.  (  Reads.)  "  Quintilian  to  Metellus,  greeting :  The 
light  of  Faith  hath  shone  o'er  this  house  ;  the  bonds  of  our 
Bouls  are  broken.  Haste  to  me,  brother  in  Christ,  and 
let  us  commune  together." 

Excellent !    lo  triumphe  !    (Reads.) 

"  Tiburtius  to  Pavl^  greeting :  Await  me  to-night  at  thy 
garden  on  the  Via  Ardeatina.  I  have  much  to  tell  thee. 
Grace,  through  the  prayers  of  Caecilia,  is  poured  abund- 
antly on  all  our  hearts.  Valerian  and  I  will  seek  Urban 
with  thee  to-night." 

Better,  better.  I  shall  snare  the  whole  covey.  Thy 
secret  and  letters  are  invaluable.    Thanks  for  them  ! 

Niger.  ( Holding  up  purse. )  Ses  terces  for  them  are  better. 


M 


Se}\ 

ad 


C/KCILIA. 


23 


inside.)  What  a  fool  I  was  not  to  demand  more;  I  let 
vein  go  too  easily.  (Almul.)  Could  you  not  make  some 
liddition  to  this  purse  in  consideration  of  the  letters  ? 

■P:  Sept.  Thou  art  a  perfect  Charybdis  of  avarice.  Ilenco  ! 
iDd  await  me  at  the  baths  of  Caracalla.  * 

Niger.  (Aside.)  I  must  make  the  most  of  the  little 
time  allotted  to  me  as  a  gentleman.  ( To  Sept.)  Vale^  friend 
iobstitute,  T  hope  you  will  pass  inspection.  It  is  not 
(Uways  we  can  get  a  substitute  for  nothing,  and  bounty 
fkoia  him  in  the  bargain.  [Exit  Nigeu, 

M  Sept.  Christians  !  father,  husband,  brother,  all !  and  hero 
'|he  proofs.  Ha!  my  pretty  bird,  I  shall  caj^e  thee  now, 
Ind  have  revenge  besides.  Valerian's  spouse.  Yes,  thou 
iflialt  soon  have  a  mangled  corse  as  husband.  Softly, 
ioftly,  I  must  proceed  with  caution.  Ila  !  here  comes  a 
lltting  tool ;  the  fair  Egeria,  seeking  her  truant  Valerian, 
11  warrant.  \Retires  up  tlie  stage. 

Enter  Egeria. 

P  Egeria.  I  feel  as  one  possessed  by  Furies,  since 
That  knell  of  love,  Valerian's  marriage,  fell 
With  boding  cadence  on  mine  ear.     Caecilia  ! 
Quintilian's  daughter,  she  Ms  bride !    My  heart 
Like  Ariadne's  on  the  strand  of  Samos, 
Deserted,  bends  beneath  its  weight  of  woe. 
Why  should  ho  trifle  with  me  thus  ?     That  night 
When  first  we  met  in  Juno's  temple,  how 
His  burning  eloquence  entranced  my  soul, 
Although  a  mere  spectator !    Rome,  his  theme, 
That  vast  crowd  swayed  like  willows  in  the  wind. 
He  spoke  of  Rome's  past  glory,  and  the  shades 


24 


CECILIA. 


Of  Tully  and  stern  Brutus  seemed  to  nod 
Approval.    That  Antinous'  form  I  saw, 
When  next  we  met  here  at  Quintilian's  feast. 
Those  honeyed  words,  attentions,  what  are  they, 
But  Dead  Sea  fruits  that  turn  to  ashes  now ! 
And  yet  what  brings  me  here  ?     This  is  her  house. 
Some  wild  resolve,  I  know  not  what 

Sept.  Revenge. 

Egeria.     (Turning  round  Jiastily  and  perceiving  him.) 
Eaves-dropping  slave ! 

Sept.  Yet  one  who  can  befriend 

Thee,  and  thy  truant  win  back  to  thy  sway. 

Egeria.  Thou  canst  ?   How  ?  Speak,  and  name  thy  terms, 

Sept.  To-morrow. 

Await  Cfecilia  in  her  garden,  when 
At  night  she  takes  her  usual  walk,  and  there 
Urge  every  argument  thou  canst  invent — 
Falsehood  or  truth, 

Egeria.  Against  her  marriage  ? 

Sept.  Yes, 

She  is  a  Christian.    Tell  her  that  her  spouse, 
Valerian,  thine  by  right  forsook  thee  for  her. 

Egeria.  She  will  not  credit  it. 

Sept.  Then  threaten. 

Egeria.  Her  1 

Sept.  Valerian  is  a  Christian,  too. 


CECILIA. 


25 


ouse. 

Revenge. 
Iiim.) 

an  befriend 

» thy  terms, 
lorrow. 


Yes, 


Her? 


'f 


Egeria.  'Tis  false,    • 

Sept,  Quintilian  also  and  his  son. 

Egeria.                                             What,  slave ! 
Thou  mockest !    Rome's  three  noblest 

Sept.  Yet  they  bent 

To  Christ.  Believe  me,  lady.  I  have  proofs. 
Threaten  Oaecilia  with  Almachius'  vengeance, 
And  she  must  yield  Valerian  up  to  thee. 

Egeria.  "Who  art  thou,  slave,  that  plottest  thus  1 

Sept.  A  slave, 

But  one  that  thirsts  for  vengeance. 


Egeria, 


Why? 


No  matter, 


Sept. 
A  slave  has  wrongs. 

Egeria.  How  can  I  trust  thee,  slave  1 

Sept.  I  risk  much  in  admitting  thee  to-night, 
A  scourging,  perhaps  death.    Thou  knowest  the  law. 

Egeria.  My  mind,  irresolute,  misgives  me. 

Sept.  Then 

Valerian  with  his  brid''  leaves  Rome  at  once, 
When  he  returns  ;  to-morrow  he'll  be  absent. 
Thy  interview  may  gain  its  end,  and  then 
He's  thine.     If  she  consents  not,  still,  fear  not. 
She  never  shall  be  his. 


Egeria. 
A  slave  ? 


What  canst  thou  do  ? 


I 


26 


CiECILIA, 


Sept, 
To  separate  tliem. 
That  never  yet  has  failed. 


I  have  a  means  infallible 
Trust  me,  it  is  one 


Egeria.  Thou  dost  not  mean 

Aught  harm  against  Valerian.    I'd  be  first 
Thee  to  denounce.    His  life  is  wrapt  in  mine  j 
Touch  him,  and  thou  shall  find  me  Nemesis. 

SeiJt.  Valerian's  life,  I  pledge,  is  safe  from  me, 
Are  there  not  other  means  to  place  a  gulf 
Between  them  ?    Dark  Suspicion,  Jealousy, 
And  all  their  train  of  demons  withering 
The  hopes  and  joys  of  wedlock  with  their  breath. 
Knowest  thou  not  circumstances  which  can  tear 
The  trusting  heart  from  Confidence's  throne. 
And  make  it  spy,  nay,  tyrant  where  it  loved. 
And  thou  a  woman  ?    Out  upon  thee. 

Egeria.  Cease, 

Enough.    Valerian  must  be  mine,  or  else 
Caecilia  dies  ;  I  could  not  tamely  brook 
Her  triumph.     Gain  him  for  me,  I  am  rich, 
And  can  reward  thee  what  tbou  wilt.    I  shall 
Await  her  in  the  garden,  where  my  cause 
I'll  plead  with  more  than  Tullian  eloquence. 
But  mark  me,  slave  !    Beware  my  vengeance  if 
Valerian  sufier  aught  from  thee.    Bewo' e  ! 

\Exit  Egeria. 

Sept.  Poor,  silly  child  !  weak  instrument  of  mine  ! 
J  spnre  Valerian  !     No,  those  eyes  shall  gloat 
Upon  his  racked  limbs.    Ate  !  that  foul  insult, 
That  stinging  blow  he  gave  me  at  the  Baths 


OiEOILIA. 

For  taurting  him  about  a  trifle  must 

Be  washed  away  in  blood,  his  blood,  by  Hades  ! 

And  old  Quintilian,  too !  Tiburtius  !  ah, 

How  each  shall  pay  me  for  their  haughty  scorn. 

Dread  Ate,  I'm  thy  slave.    Come,  Nemesis, 

But  one  bold  stroke  and  fair  Caecilia's  mine. 


27 


\ExU. 


SCENE  III.— ENTRANCE  TO  THE  BATHS  OF  CARACALLA. 

Crowds  passing  to  and  fro.    Enter  Septimius,  muffled  in  a  cloak. 
He  conceals  himself  partly  behind  a  pillar  near  tlie  footlights. 

Septimius.  'Tis  now  the  hour :  he  should  be  here  j  ray 
soul 
Is  like  a  fire-girt  scorpion,  in  th'  embrace 
Of  Ate.    Ha  !     Caecilia,  I  shall  see 
Thee  yet  petitioner  at  my  feet.     Thy  scorn 
And  his,  Valerian's  insult,  shall  be  paid 
In  blood — in  his  and  thine  !     My  heart  shall  gloat 
O'er  his  distorted  face  and  rack'd  limbs  rent 
AVith  agony.     And  when  thy  dainty  form 
Is  quivering  on  that  rack,  I'll  whisper  thee 
Such  consolation  as  will  make  thee  writhe 
In  keener  torture.    Had  he  but  delayed 
Last  night  one  minute  later,  thou  wert  mine. 
I  would  have  carried  thee  far,  far  from  him. 
A  trusty  .band  was  there  ;  she — seized  ;  slaves — fled, 
AVhen  rushed  Valerian  on  us  ;  in  an  instant 
Three  of  the  band  lay  gasping ;  she  was  torn 
Away  from  me  ;  the  coward  knaves  then  shraiik 
In  terror  from  him,  though  I  urged  them  on. 
In  vain.    A  throng  of  armed  slaves  soon  came, 


dt 


28 


CECILIA. 


And  each  one  seized.    I  gained  a  place  of  safety, 
Unseen,  unrecognized  j  the  rest  were  taken, 
But  know  not  their  employer.    I  am  safe : 
Even  Ciecilia  recognized  me  not. 
Now  I'or  Almachius  and  my  plot  to-night. 
To-night  Egeria's  interview  takes  place  j 
And  all  is  ready  for  my  enterprise. 
I  No  fear  of  last  night's  failure  when  he's  caged. 
Here  comes  the  worthy  prefect,  from  whom  Nero 
Might  learn  new  modes  of  cruelty  ;  so  much 
The  better  for  my  purpose. 

Enter  Almachius,  with  Guards. 

Almachius.  Ha !  'tis  well, 

Here  is  thy  warrant ;  I  will  leuve  these  guards 
To  execute  it  when  its  victim  comes, 
I've  sworn  that  Christ  shall  .have  no  place  in  Pwome 
While  I  am  prefect ;  and  thy  proofs  are  clear 
Against  Valerian  and  the  rest ;  to-night 
Myself  shall  seize  Quintilian  at  his  house. 
Breathe  not  a  word  lest  they  escape ;  by  day 
I  dare  not  seize  them,  for  their  friends  are  many, 
Those  Roman  dogs  wear  not  their  chains  as  yet 
Submissively.    Septimius,  how  I'd  long 
To  lash  the  curs  with  scorpions,  in  revenge 
For  our  Iberia's  wrongs,  those  wrongs  of  years. 
Which  Rome  inflicted  on  our  land,  I'd  send 
The  slaves  to  Tartarus  by  myriads  gladly,  , 

But  they're  not  cowed  enough.    I  will  revenge 
Myself  upon  those  Christians  who  become 
Too  dang'rous  for  the  State.     Quintilian  too  ! 
He  in  my  power  ?    Long  I  sought  a  chance 
Against  his  haughty  Brutus  spirit ;  now 


I' 
If 


F 
M 


CECILIA. 


29 


1, 


e 


I'll  tame  or  crush  him  and  his  cursed  brood. 
Watch  well  the  quarry ;  bind  him  fast,  spare  not 
If  he  resists,  but  crush  him  like  a  worm. 

[Exit  Almachius. 

Sept.  Oh,  what  a  glorious  helpmate !    Thanks,  ye  gods  ! 
For  giving  him  to  me.     He's  one  who  will 
My  vengeance  glut  e'en  to  repletion.    How 
Our  silly  emperor  mistook  him,  when 
He  left  him  in  his  plrce  to  govern  Rome. 
My  galley  leaves,  then,  for  the  Euxine  Sea 
To-night  when  my  revenge  is  taken  ;  if 
The  fair  0£eci]ia  lives  she  shall  leave  too, 
And  bo  my  shave. 

(During  the  above,  the  people  have  all  entered  the  Baths, 
80  that  none  remain  hut  the  Soldiers  and  Septimius.) 

(Addressing  the  Guards)  :    Conceal  yourselves,  until 
I  give  the  signal ;  then  rush  in  and  seizo 
Whom  I  shall  point  out ;  harm  him  not,  but  quickly 
Convey  him  to  the  Mamertine,  and  cast  him 
Into  the  deepest  dungeon  there.     Retire. 

[Exeunt  Guards. 
Here  comes  the  quarry.    How  I  hate  him,  but 
I'll  play  him  as  the  tiger  does  his  prey. 

Enter  Valerian. 

Sept.  Good  evening,  fair  sir  ;  may  I  oflfer  thee, 
Though  tardy,  my  congratulations  on 
Thy  late,  successful  wooing,  and  thy  triumph, 
With  Hymen's  aid,  o'er  obdurate  Cecilia. 
Although  not  present  on  that  happy  night, 
I  feel  an  interest  in  the  nuptials,  which 


30 


CECILIA. 


I 


Induced  me  to  accost  thee  thus :  I  hope 
Thou  wilt  be  happy  with  thy  bride. 

Valerian.  Indeed  1 

I  must  feel  flattered  when  Septimius  offers 
Congratulations;  such  from  him,  I  deem 
An  insult. 

Sept.  Ha  !  ha !  ha  !  our  friend  is  choleric 

Thou  art  ungrateful :  for  I've  labored  hard 
To  make  thee  fitting  presents  on  thy  bridal ; 
Thou'lt  find  them  equal  to  my  zeal  for  thee  ; 
A  bridal  chamber,  such  as  ne'er  thou  dreamed  of 
Is  now  prepared  for  thy  reception. 

Val.    (Aside.)  Oh  I 

His  sneering  omile  doth  put  to  flight 
My  resolutions  of  humility. 
The  hot  blood  of  our  race  is  boiling  up 
And  coursing  madly  through  my  veins.    Oh  God  ! 
This  fiery  spirit's  conqueror.     I'm  lost 
(Aloiid.)    Thy  prating  insolence  deserves  return 
Such  as  I  once  administered  before. 
Beware,  I  may  again  chastise  the  cur 
That  bays  me.    Keep  thy  presents  for  the  class 
Of  Harpies  foul  to  which  thou  dost  belong. 

Sept.  A  poor  return  for  my  good  wishes  :  still 
My  interest  in  thy  bridal  causes  me 
To  overlook  it. 

Val.  Truly  oondescending  I 

I  have  not  time  to  listen  to  thy  sneers, 
Thou  hast  some  hidden  purpose :  I  can  see  it, 


OiEOILIA. 


81 


But  care  for  thee  and  nil  thy  plots  as  much 
As  if  thou  wert  some  buzzing  ily  j  whene'er 
It's  troublesome  I  brush  it  off. 

Sept.  So  then, 

Thou  wilt  reject  the  offer  made  by  friends, 
Dear  friends  of  thine — a  beauteous  bridal  chamber. 
They  have  empowered  me  tp  use  some  force, 
Fnendly,  of  course,  persuading  thy  acceptance. 

Val.    (  Drawing  Ms  swm-d.)     Thy  insolence  is  such  I  can- 
not pass. 

Sept.  Ho !  in  there  !    (Enter  Guards^  o?i  all  sides.) 

On  him,  fellows,  he's  your  victim  ! 

(Valerian,  after  a  brief  struggle^  is  thrown  on  the 
ground^  disarmed  and  pinioned.  They  raise  him 
on  his  feet^  holding  him  by  the  arms.) 

Sept.  Why  brush  not  off  these  buzzing  flies  that  are 
So  troublesome  7     Valerian,  thou  art  caged : 
I  have  a  rare  treat  for  thee  in  return 
For  last  month's  stinging  blow  upon  these  steps. 

Fal.  Coward  !  unbind  one  arm,  but  one,  and  dare 
To  meet  me  here  amid  thy  myrmidons. 
Place  in  my  hand  my  trusty  sword,  and  then 
Array  thy  paltry  skin  in  armor  ;  load 
Thyself  with  all  the  weapons  thou  canst  wield 
And  dare  to  venture  near  my  reach. 

Sept.  Ha  !  ha  ! 

Thou  shouldst  have  been  a  gladiator :  how 
That  speech  would  tell  within  the  amphitheatre. 


w 


32 


CiEGILIA. 


I'm  sorry  that  thy  amiable  intentions 

Cannot  be  gratified.    Now,  to  explain. 

Some  worthy  friend  of  thine  has  fitted  up 

A  private  chamber,  as  I  said,  for  thee. 

This  guard  of  honor  will  conduct  thee  there. 

Beneath  the  walls  of  Mamertine  it  lies, 

The  yellow  Tiber  rushes  o'er  its  roof. 

The  walls  are  not  o'er  dry,  an&  darkness  reigns 

Impenetrable ;  thou  shalt  have  companions  ; 

I  would  not  have  thee  solitary:  there 

Are  toads  and  hissing  snakes  enough  to  keep 

Thy  mind  diverted  from  its  loneliness. 

Hast  thou  no  thanks  for  this,  my  friendly  care  ? 

Dost  hear  ? 

Fal.  I  do  and  see  a  hisising  viper 

More  hideous  than  aught  created ;  nay, 
T  libel  Nature  when  I  liken  thee 
To  any  work  of  hers.    She  had  no  hand 
In  cursing  Earth  with  such  a  foul  abortion 
As  thou.    On,  fellows,  lead  me  to  my  fate, 
I've  dared  grim  Death  before  against  the  foes 
Of  Rome,  and  looked  him  boldly  in  the  face 
Too  often  e'er  to  tremble  here.    Lead  on ! 
Let  not  my  eyes  be  cursed  with  such  a  loathsome 
Object  as  him. 

Sept.  Friend,  tarry  yet  awhile  I 

I  have  not  told  thee  half  the  bliss  in  store 
For  thee.    The  bridal  chamber  where  to-night 
Thou'lt  meet  Caecilia  and  her  father,  is 
Almachius'  torture-chamber,  furnished  well 
With  curious  instruments,  attentive  slaves, 
A  couch  with  rollers,  wheels  and  loops,  in  which 


I 


♦  Th 
Th( 
Ha 


•.    To 


i 


OiECILIA. 


88 


♦  *r\\y  wrists  and  ancles  will  be  fastened  ;  there 
Tbou'It  see  thy  bride,  her  features  rent  with  pain. 
Ha  !  ha  !  thou  wincest  now. 

Val.    (Struggling  with  the  Guards.)        Inhuman  wretch ! 
How  has  that  angel  harmed  thee  ?    "What  pretext 
Canst  thou  adduce  to  make  the  prefect  party 
To  such  an  outrage  ? 


Sept. 
I  hold  the  proofs. 


Ye  are  Nazarenes, 


Val.  The  emp'ror  will  exact 

Dread  retribution,  when  he  hears  what  crimes 
Have  been  committed  in  his  name.    I  have 
His  autograph :  Almachius  dare  not  slight  it. 

Sept.  Try  him,  then,  silly  fool,  Almachius  dares 
More  than  thou  knowest:  he  is  emperor  now. 

Val.  Heaven  forfend  such  evil  dire  to  Kome. 
Thou  liest :  Alexander  shall  return. 

Sept.  Perhaps  :  he'll  not  find  thee  to  welcome  him. 

Val.  Vent  all  thy  malice  on  my  body,  but 
Harm  not  Caecilia.     Tear  my  limbs  with  all 
Thy  instruments  of  torture,  but  in  mercy, 
If  thou  art  human,  spare  my  gentle  bride. 

*    Sept.    Thy  bride !    that  name's  her    knell !    Enough, 

thou'lt  see 
Her  dainty  form,  there  writhing  on  tho  rack 
Thou'lt  hear  her  piteous  groans  :  yet  listen  well. 
She  shall  not  die :  no,  no,  that  must  not  be. 


84 


CECILIA. 


I'll  have  physicians  who  will  care  her  well, 
And  bring  her  back  to  life  and  health,  but  mark, 
To  be  my  slave,  my  minion. 

Val.  God  of  Mercy  I 

Who  called  my  soul  from  outer  darkness,  can 
This  demon  here  pollute  with  his  foul  shadow 
Thy  glorious  sun  above  us  shining?    Can 
Such  deeds  be  done,  and  thou  sit  stUl  ?    Send  down 
Thy  bolts  to  scorch  yon  plague  spot  oi"  Creation. 
Earth,  open  wide  thy  breast  and  drag  him  down 
From  man's  society. 

Sept  Thy  words  are  music. 

Go  on.    I  shall  not  interrupt  thy  strain. 

Vol.  Men,  soldiers,  can  ye  thus  degrade  your  race? 
Can  Romans  sink  so  low  from  their  high  name 
As  to  become  the  tools  of  such  a  fiend  1 

Sept.  These  men  are  Syrians  and  thy  eloquence 
Is  lost  on  them. 

Val.  Thank  Heaven  then  I'm  spared 

The  pang  of  seeing  Romans  tools  of  thine. 
Lead  on,  t?  ere  is  a  God  of  Justice,  who 
"Weighs  all  things  rightly. 

Sept.  Hence  with  him ! 

(Valerian  is  led  off.    He  turns  back,  when  he  reaches  the  door, 
and  exclaims) :  Beware  ! 

When  next  we  meet.  [Exit,  with  Guards. 

Sept.  A  chill  glides  o'er  my  frame 

Beneath  that  haunting  eye.    What  folly's  this  ? 


C^ECILIA. 


35 


)timius,  thou  art  growing  womanish. 
^\iy  tremblest  thou  with  Nemesis  thy  friend  f 
fow  for  the  seeond  act  of  Vengeance'  drama. 

lis  nigh  the  fair  Egeria's  hour  :  she  will,  ' 

1  trust,  uccoraplish  her  share  of  my  work, 

And  raise  tormenting  doubts,  suspicions  dark, 

"bx  proud  Caccilia's  mind  about  her  spouse. 

By  Hades  !  Ate,  I  will  sacriiico 

8omo  suckling  babe  to  thee  for  aiding  me.         [Exit  Sept. 

J^er  Niger, /row  behind  the  steps  of  the  Bath,  where  he  teas  lying. 

-  Nig^r.  (After  looking  cautiously  around.)  Well,  now,  if 
lliat  last  gentleman  isn't  as  pretty  a  specimen  of  a  firat- 
dass  villain  as  ever  the  walls  of  Homo  sheltered,  I'm  not 
Kiger,  but  Julius  Caesar.  I  ought  to  feel  honored  in  having 
ii  substitute  of  such  superior  abilities.  He  will  be  our 
next  emperor :  I  know  it.  Many  a  breast  the  imperial 
purple  has  covered  less  deserving.  Such  abilities  make 
me  envious.  But,  Mr.  Septimius,  you  forgot  that  this 
wasn't  paid  for  yet,  so  here  goes  to  warn  Quintilian  and 
his  family  of  Alroachius'  surprise  party.  [Exit^  singing 

Ho  !  ho  !  the  sesterces,  serterces  for  me, 
With  them  there's  Elysium  ;  without,  misery. 


SCENE    IV.  — QUINTILIAN' S    GARDENS  —  ARBOR 
SEATS— EGERIA  DISCOVERED. 


AND 


Egeria.  The  slave  must  have  deceived  me,  or  )lhe  would 
Have  come  ere  this.    A  footstep — hist !  |he  comes. 
Oh,  how  hfei  hated  beauty,  gentle  air, 
And  Vestal  countenance  doth  madden  me. 

[Retires  behind  a  tree. 

4 


OiEOILIA. 


Enter  Cjecilia. 

CcBcUia.  How  sweet  the  recompense  that  God  has  given 
For  those  heart-burning  tribulations  past, 
When  darkness  more  intense  than  Egypt's  reigned. 
And  Satan  claimed  allegiance  from  this  house. 
My  little  lamp  of  Faith  oft  flickered,  but 
Daily  I  trimmed  it  at  my  shrine ;  now  light 
Illumes  each  sou',  and  shows  it  its  true  God. 
Father  and  brother  won  to  Him  ;  my  spouse, 
Valerian,  too  !  what  joy  and  bliss  I  feel. 
But  last  night's  scene,  those  wicked  men  that  sought 
To  drag  me  from  him,  oh  !  'twas  Satan's  work. 
Valerian  saved  me,  yet  methought  I  saw 
The  flash  of  seraph  wings  above  my  head. 
My  captor  saw  it,  too,  and  shrank  dismayed. 
I've  tended  those  poor  wretches  carefully. 
Whose  breasts  were  gashed  wide  by  Valerian's  sword : 
The  rest,  my  father,  at  my  earnest  prayer, 
Dismissed  unharmed.    I  feel  a  holy  joy. 
As  though  'twere  Eden  in  this  garden.    Oh ! 
How  bright  my  nuptials  seem,  a  radiant  vision, 
A  dream  of  Heav'n.    May  clouds  obscure  them  not  j 
And  may  no  serpent  curse  this  Paradise. 

Egeria.     (Coming  fonvard.)     Will  not  the  thought  of 
others'  misery  given 
As  price  for  thy  bright  dream  a  serpent  prove 
To  sting  thee  with  remorse  ?    Shall  not  the  clouds 
Of  others'  lost  hopes  dim  it  ? 

CcecUia.  Stranger,  why 

These  words  ill-omened  1  why  thy  angered  air  ? 


O^EOILIA, 


87 


Egeria.    {TJirowinc}  hack  her  veil.)    Tliou  knowest  why 
now,  perhaps. 

Enter  Septimius,  tmperceived,  in  Niger's  dress. 
Cacilia.  Egeria  here  I 

Egeria.  Why  not,  when  thou  wouldst  leave  me  desolate  1 
QBcilia.      I ! ! 


Egeria. 


Yes,  thou  smiling  hypocrite  ! 


Ccecilia. 

I  have  ne'er  wronged  a  creature  knowingly, 
But  rather  would  I  die  ten  thousand  deaths 
Than  thou  shouldst  suffer  aught  harm  at  my  hands. 


Egeria, 


Egeria.  Hast  thou  not  wed  Valerian  ? 

Ccecilia. 
A  wrong  ? 


Can  that  be 


Egeria.      A  wrong !    Yes,  one  the  deepest  thou 
Couldst  e'er  have  done  me.    He  was  mine. 


Cxcilia. 


Thine? 


Egeria.  Yes, 

Before  thy  spells  enthralled  him.    Listen.    Long 
He  owned  my  sway  :  his  presence  was  the  star 
Of  my  young  life.    Thou  shalt  resign  him. 


Ccecilia. 
My  spouse  ?    Impossible  ! 


Whr.t  I 


Egeria.    (Drawing  a  dagger,  and  rushing  on  hei\)    Then 
die! 


88 


CECILIA. 


Septimius.    (Rushing  hetioeea  them  and  grasping  Egeria's 
mist^  so  that  tlie  dagger  falls.)     (Aside  to  Egeria.)     Is  this 
Thy  argument  ?    Away  !    I'll  plead  thy  cause. 
Fear  not,  she  shall  not  sever  thee  from  him. 

[Exit  Egeria. 

CacUia.  Can  such  fell  passions  sway    the    Breast    of 
woman  ? 
Good  Niger,  has  Valerian  yet  returned  ? 

Sept.    (Aside.)    Valerian  !  how  I  hate  that  name. 

(Aloud  in  a  feigned  voice.)     I  fear 
My  lady,  I  have  sad  news. 

CcBcilia.  What  ?     Oh,  speak  ! 

My  husband  !    Has  aught  happened  him  ? 

Sept.  Be  c^lm, 

It  can  be  remedied.  He's  in  the  hands 
Of  enemies,  who  know  not  mercy  j  foes 
"Who've  sworn  his  death. 

OEcilia.  What  foes  could  meditate 

Aught  wrong  'gainst  su  jh  as  him  ? 

Sept.  No  matter,  still 

He's  m  the  Mamertine  io-night ;  no  more 
Expect  to  see  him  living. 

Ca;cUia.  Oh  !  good  Niger, 

Unsay  those  cruel  words,  what  has  he  done 
To  merit  death  so  young,  so  noble  I 

Sept.  Much. 

He  has  betrayed  thee  into  marriage,  when 


CECILIA. 


39 


Ilis  troth  was  plighted  to  Egeria ;  and 
lie's  proved  a  traitor  double-dyed  to  Kome, 
At  least  his  intercepted  messages 
To  her  worst  foes  assert  so. 

CcecUia.  Never !    Guile 

Could  find  no  place  in  my  Valerian's  breast, 
No  more  than  dross  in  virgin  gold.     He's  armed 
In  honor's  mail  'gainst  all  corruption.     Cease 
Thy  charges,  for  they  fall  like  blunted  darts, 
When  aimed  at  his  fair  name. 

Sept.  Thy  eloquence, 

I  fear,  will  not  avail  him  much  :  he's  doomed. 
Ilis  guilt  is  clear,  thou  must  give  way  to  proofs. 
Read  well  these  intercepted  letters,  and  (producing  tJiem) 
They'll  prove  him  false  to  Rome  and  thee. 

CcBcilia.    {Rejecting  them.)  '         Away ! 

I'll  hear  no  more  agairst  my  husband.    If 
All  Rome  were  clamoring  charges,  heaping  proofs 
And  bringing  witnesses  against  Valerian  ; 
If  in  the  judgment  of  the  world  he  stood 
Arraigned,  condemned,  disgraced,  he  still  is  mine, 
My  noble  spouse  unblemished.    Earth  and  Hell 
Can  ne'er  dethrone  him  in  my  heart :  nay,  more, 
If  one  of  those  bright  seraphs — (were  it  so 
They  thus  could  fall  in  sin) — should  whisper  me 
That  my  Valerian's  not  the  noblest  soul 
In  Rome  ;  that  aught  could  draw  him  from  the  path 
Of  honor  :  I'd  reject  his  tale  with  horror. 

Sept.  (Aside.)  Her  faith  in  him  is  adamantine.  Now, 
To  work,  upon  that  faith.  (Aloitd.)  Thou  hast  a  chance 
To  show  thy  love  now — rescue  him  from  death. 


I 


I 


40  CECILIA. 

Cxjecilia.  What  can  a  poor,  weak  woman  do  ? 

Sept.  I  know 

A  way  to  reach  him.     Come  with  me  to-night, 
And  he  shall  leave  the  gloomy  Mamertine. 

Cdcilia.   {Departing.)   My  Father  or  Tiburtius  I  will  seek 
To  aid  us  in  this  work. 

Sept.    {Stepping  heticeen  her  and  the  door.)    It  must  be  done, 
By  us  alone.    I  have  grave  reasons  for  it. 

CcBcilia.  I  must  consult  them  first. 

Sept.  They  must  not  know 

One  word.    Come,  let's  depart  at  once  before 
The  time  for  action's  past. 

Citcilia.  I  cannot  leave 

The  house  to-night  without  my  father's  knowledge. 

Sept.  Thou  shalt,  by  Hades  ! 

CcEcilia.  Niger  !  thou  forget  test 

Thy  place  :  Retire  or  I  will  summon  them. 

Sept.  Disguise  to  Tartarijs  !    Proud  dame,  perhaps 
This  face  may  be  familitir. 

{Tearing  away  his  false  beard  and  throwing  of  his  skuU~cap.) 

Ha  1  thy  face 
Is  blanched. 

CoccUia.        Septimius !  Heaven  guard  me ! 

Sept.  Pray, 

For  thou  hast  need  of  all  the  gods  to  help  thee. 


CLCILIA.  41 

And  all  Olympus.    I've  Dot  time  to  tell  thee 

What  is  in  store  for  thee  and  thy  curs'd  spouse. 

Let  this  suffice.    E'en  now  he's  on  the  rack 

On  charge  of  being  a  Christian ;  thy  turn  next 

This  very  night,  unless  thou  leavest  with  me. 

My  galley's  ready,  but  consent  to  iiy 

With  me  as  mine,  and  thou  art  safe :  refuse, 

And  all  the  torments  of  Christ's  hell  are  mild 

To  what  thou'lt  suffer  in  Almachius'  hands, 

Turn  not  thine  eyes  on  me  for  mercy  to  him, 

I've  sworn  his  death,  and  tracked  him  to  it.    Yes, 

Too  late,  he's  on  the  Stygian  store  e'en  now. 

Will  thou  consent  ?    Thou  art  in  my  power  !    Quick  I 

Cecilia.  Forsake  not.  Lord,  thy  neophyte  Valerian. 
He's  but  ft  child  in  Faith.     Is  any  spark 
Of  human  feeling  in  thy  murderous  heart, 
Septimius,  that  thou  shouldst  deface  the  work 
Of  God  in  him.    I  have  no  thought  for  life 
Without  him ;  gladly  will  I  hail  the  hour 
Of  anion  with  my  God  and  him  in  Heaven. 

Sept.  No,  no,  thou  shalt  not  join  him  yet.    I'll  have 
More  exquisite  revenge  than  death.    This  night 
A  gentle  application  of  the  rack 
Will  tame  thee.    Thou  art  my  slave  and  minion,  long 
Thou'lt  fawn  upon  me  at  my  feet,  but  all 
The  rest  of  thy  curs'd  race  shall  die. 

Ckcilia.  Great  God  I 

Record  not  this  man's  malice,  he's  possessed 
By  some  foul  tiend. 


Sept. 


'Tis  Nemesis  compels  rao  ! 


42 


CECILIA. 


Thou  bast  no  time  to  lose.  Hark  !  hear  you  now 
The  tramp  of  soldiers'  feet  outside.  Hence,  fool, 
Thou  shalt  be  mine.  {Seizes  her  hy  the  tc',  Ist.) 

Enter  Valerian,  hastily^  his  face  covered  with  bloody  his  a  :/•- 
ments  torn  and  dripping.  Niger  follows  with  a  large  club. 
Valerian  grasps  Septlmius  by  the  throat  a^nd  hurls  hint  to  the 
ground^  where  he  lies  stunned  and  helpless.    Niger  binds  him. 

CaecUia.    (Joyfully  taking  Valerian  by  both  hands.)     Vale- 
rian, my  own  spouse. 
The  God  of  Mercy  has  now  heard  my  prayer. 
And  thou  art  safe — yet  no,  these  wounds,  thai  blood, 
Thy  haggard  face. 

Valerian.    (Speaking  ,apidly.)    Fear  not,  my  wounds  aro 
slight 
Though  many.    There's  no  time  to  lose.    The  thought 
Of  thy  great  peril  gave  me  giant  strength. 
They  led  rae  near  the  Tiber  on  the  way 
To  prison;  with  an  effort  which  Alcides  •• 
Could  scarce  have  made  I  freed  my  pinioned  arms, 
Hurled  the  two  nearest  from  me,  snatched  an  axe 
TTiat  lay  near,  hewed  my  way  to  Tiber's  banks. 
Plunged  in,  and  thus  escaped  them.     This  brave  fellow 
Rescued  me  when  the  loss  of  blood  would  soon 
Have  sent  me  to  the  bottom.    When  we  reached 
The  shore  we  lay  for  some  time  still,  and  heard 
My  captors  searching  for  me ;  it  was  dark. 
And  God  concealed  me.    "When  they  left  we  ran 
"With  all  speed  possible  to  have  thee  warned. 
Thy  father  and  Tiburtius  have  gone 
To-day  to  visit  Urban  ;  they  are  safe. 
Now  for  escape,  quick,  quick,  the  time  is  short. 


CECILIA. 


43 


May  God  res'^riiin  this  fiery  breast  of  mine, 
And  cool  the  lava  in  my  veins. 

Niger.  I  think  we  had  better  make  this  gentleman  ef- 
fect an  instant  change  of  base  before  we  fix  upon  a  way 
of  avoiding  his  friends. 

Vol.  Very  well,  good  Niger,  take  him  away.  He's 
senseless.  My  temper  and  anger  at  witnessing  his  cruel 
treatment  of  thee,  Oaecilia,  half  betrayed  me  into  lulling 
him  to  the  sleep  that  is  without  waking. 

Niger.  I've  the  other  half  of  the  intention  necessary  to 
send  him  to  Pluto.  "Xou  send  him  half-way,  and  I'll  war- 
rant with  this  club  he'll  reach  his  destination  in  Tartarus 
(I  beg  the  lady's  pardon,  as  she's  a  Christian),  in  hell, 
without  any  stoppage  on  the  way. 

CcBoUia.  No,  no.  Valerian,  leave  him  to  God.  Wouldst 
thou  send  the  poor  wretch  before  his  Judge  unrepenting  ? 
I'll  pray  for  him  unceasingly,  and  perhaps  there  may  lue  a 
place  in  Heaven  for  him. 

Niger.  He'd  be  an  addition  certainly.  I'm  afraid,  my 
lady,  all  the  saints  and  angels  would  soon  send  in  a  peti- 
tion to  expel  him.    He's  a  harxl  shell. 

Val.  Carry  him  to  the  house,  and  leave  hira  where  his 
worthy  confreres  will  find  him. 

Niger.  (Lifting  the  body  of  Septimius,  and  dragging  it 
away.)  He's  only  playing  possum,  sir.  Depend  upon  it, 
he  has  his  wits  in  order  now.    However,  I'll  secure  him. 

[Exit  Niger,  with  body. 


44 


O^OILIA. 


Val.  We  have  not  an  instant  to  lose.  Almacliius  and 
his  satellites  will  be  here.  Which  way  can  we  leave  this 
garden  ? 

CcBcilia.  Thanks  to  Heaven,  we're  saved.  (Kneeling  on 
the  ground  she  raises  a  trajj-door.)  This  secret  passage  leads 
into  a  cave  from  which  we  can  reach  the  Via  Ardeatina. 
This  house  and  gardens  once  belonged  to  a  Prefect,  who 
made  this  passage  as  a  precaution  against  adversity  and 
enemies.  Urban,  our  Holy  Father,  informed  me  of  its  ex- 
istence, and  memory  now,  like  Heaven's  inspiration,  re- 
called it  to  my  mind.  We  can  easily  find  the  entrance  to 
the  Catacombs  when  we  leave  this  passage. 

(Sounds  of  voices  and  clash  of  arms  heard.") 


Enter  Niger,  I'unning. 

Niger.  They've  come — the  Prefect  and  a  maniple  of  sol- 
diers ;  so  we  had  better  be  making  ourselves  scarce  as  soon 
ss  possible.  Hallo !  what  have  you  there  ?  an  under- 
ground railroad  ?  Good !  I'm  partial  to  such  institu- 
tions.   The  Ethiopians  south  of  us 

Val.  Time  presses,  so  waste  it  not  in  words.  Where  left 
you  Septimius  ? 

Niger.  Well,  he's  not  far  off,  I  assure  you.  I  had  not 
dragged  >x;m  but  a  short  distance  when  I  heard  the  ap- 
proach of  the  soldiers.  My  burden  heard  it,  too,  for  he 
jumped  up,  or  rather  was  jumping  up,  when  I  administered 
him  a  gentle  reproof  for  his  vivacity,  with  this  club. 

CcBcUia.  Did  you  injure  him  much  ? 

Niger.  Oh  no,  my  lady,  not  much;   only  something 


CEOILTA. 


45 


cracked  and  it  wasn't  the  stick.    IIo  lay  down  like  a  lamb 
and  I  left  him  in  a  gentle  but  sound  slumber. 

Val.  Come,  Coocilia,  descend  first  and  we  will  follow. 
(CiF.ciLiA  descends  by  the  trap-door^  Valerian  folloxcing.) 
Val.  Come,  Niger. 

Niger.  All  aboard,  sir.  Go  ahead.  I  hope  we'll  meet 
no  obstructions  on  the  track.  If  we  do,  I'll  remove  them 
with  my  stick.  Good  morning.  Squire  Ahuachius  and 
Lawyer  Septimius,  I'm  sorry  that  pressing  engagements 
prevent  us  from  being  home  to  receive  your  surprise  party, 
and  its  honorable  posse  comitatus. 

[Exit^  closing  the  trap-door. 

Enter  Agnes,  running. 

Those  wicked  men,  what  mean  they  ?    They  have  slain 

Our  servants,  and  with  horrid  oaths  and  cries 

Are  seeking  us.     Cascilia  !  she's  not  hero. 

Yet  scarce  an  hour  I  left  her.    What  has  happened  1 

Blood,  too  !     Sweet  Saviour,  grant  it  be  not  hers. 

(Discovers  stains  where  YxLERika^s  wounds  hod  been  dripping.^ 

(Calls.)     Ooecilia!  sister  ! 


Enter  Almachius,  icith  Guards. 

Almachius.  We've  run  down  the  game. 

Here's  one,  (^seizing  her,)  the  rest  is  not  far  off.    Away, 
Ye  knaves,  and  leave  no  nook  unsearched — away  ! 

[Exit  Guards. 
Answer  me,  child,  thy  mistress  where  is  she  ? 

Agnes.     (Aside.)     Thank  Heaven,  they  have  not  found 
her.     (^Aloud.)     I  know  not. 


•  A 


46 


CECILIA. 


AlmacMus.  What !  dar'st  thou  trifle  with  rae  thus  ?    Then 

know, 
I  am  Almachius, 


Agnes. 

So  T  thought,  thy  words 

And  mien  proclaim  it. 

Almachius. 

. 

Taunted  by  a  child  ! 

By  Hades,  I  can 

crush  theo ! 

Agnes. 

Mighty  laoor, 

Surpassing  Hercules'. 

AlmacJiius. 

What  art  thou  child  ? 

Agnes. 

Caecilia's 

Agnes. 

Almachius. 

Art  a  Christian  ? 

Agnes.  Yos. 

The  humblest  in  the  fold,  yet  guarded  well 
By  God's  bright  angels. 

AlmacMus.  Knowest  not  the  law 

Against  the  Nazarenes  ?    Come,  cease  this  talk. 
Obey  the  gods  and  thou  shalt  bo  rewarded. 

Agnes.  Here,  haply,  but  there — lost  for  ever  ! 

Enter  Guards^  supporting  Septimius,  whose  head  hangs  on  his 

breast. 

Almachius.  Ha ! 

My  worthy  confrere  !  what  has  happened  thee  ? 

Sept.    {With    dijjlcidty.)    Search    well    those    gardens. 
They  are  here.    I  left 


CiECILIA.  47 

Valerian  and  her.    Lose  no  time,  I'll  tell 

Tliee  more  anon.    Secure  this  child  j  they  no'er 

Can  leave  without  her. 

Almachius.  To  the  scent,  my  hounds, 

You'll  feed  my  lampreys  if  you  find  it  not. 
Let  two  support  Scptimius  to  the  house. 
Bind  this  child's  arms  and  leave  her  here  :  slie's  safe.  . 
Away  !  hunt  down  the  game — the  spoil  is  yours. 

[Exeunt  omnes^  except  Agnes,  who  is  left  lying  on  the  ground. 

The  trap-door  opens  softli/,  and  Niger's  head  appears. 

Niger.  A  precious  set  of  cut-throats.  It's  lucky  I  stop- 
ped to  listen  or  this  poor  child  wfts  lost.  Now  to  get  her 
out  of  the  hands  of  the  Philistines.  {Gets  out  of  the  open- 
ing^ and  lifting  Agnes  in  his  arms  carries  her  to  the  passage.) 
Don't  be  afraid,  my  little  bird,  I'm  only  removing  you  out 
of  reach  of  the  vulture's  claws.  Oh,  how  I'd  like  to  see 
the  countenances  of  the  Prefect  and  his  brother  in  vil- 
lainy when  they  find  how  they  have  been  bamboozled. 
Won't  they  swear  some  1  [Exit,  closing  trap-door. 

Enter  Almachius  and  Guards. 
Almachius.  Perdition  !  whore's  the  child  ? 


One  of  the  Guards. 
As  thou  commandest. 

Almachius. 

Guard. 
A  moment  since. 


"We  left  her  here 


Gone  too! 


She  was  here 


Almachius.  Those  Nazarenes  must  have 

Some  magic  po w'rs.    Hast  found  the  others  y et  ? 


48 


CECILIA, 


Guard.    There  cannot  be  a  nook  but  we  have  seftrchod 
And  found  no  trace. 

Almachkts.  Your  worthless  carcases 

jShall  in  my  ponds  be  cast  to  feed  my  fish. 

Enter  Septimius,  hastily,  staggering  with  weakness. 

Sept.  What's  this  I  hear?    My  prey  escaped,  revenge 
Denied  me,  curses  on  ye,  knaves,  and  thou 
False  Prefect !  not  a  clue  or  victim  left ! 
Is  this  thy  promise  !  this  thy  friendship  sworn. 
Fool  that  I  was  to  trust  such  bungling  knaves. 

Almachius.    By  Hades !  thou   hadst  better   curb  thy 
speech, 
I  may  forget  old  ties  and  claims.    Beware ! 

Sept.  Eureka  !  I  have  still  a  clue  :  there's  one 
Who  can  and  will  unearth  them.    Decius,  who 
Is  Christian  but  in  name.    He's  bound  to  us 
By  his  unconquerable  gambling  bent ; 
He'd  lose  his  soul  and  body  for  the  dice. 
And  will  assist  me.  [Ea;it  Sept. 

Almachius.  Hence,  ye  graceless  knaves, 

But  fire  this  Christian  nest  first.    I  have  faith 
In  our  success  yet,  for  no  blood-hound  e'er 
Tracked  prey  more  perseveringly  or  with 
The  thirst  for  blood  Septimius  tracks  his  foe. 

\Exeunt  omnea 


atUILIA. 


49 


ACT    II. 

SCENE  I.— A  CHAMBER  IN  THE  CATACOMBS. 

QUINTILIAN,  AtHANASIUS,    TiBURTIUS,  VaLERIAIC,  CiKCILIA, 

and  a  crowd  of  Christians.    Urban  on  his  throne.    Decius, 
a  prisoner.     Two  men  beside  him  as  Guards. 

Urban.  Can  such  a  wretch,  nay  Judas,  dwell  among  us 
As  thou  describest,  Athanasius  1    One 
Who  sought  us  when  cast  out  of  Rome  a  leper. 
A  loathsome  object,  yet  we  tended  him 
With  care  and  love  and  brought  him  back  to  life. 
Grant  Heav'n  thou  art  mistaken,  and  he's  not 
Yet  fallen  in  the  hands  of  Sutan  or 
His  emissaries,  gamblers.    Can  it  be? 
I  shudder  at  such  turpitude  ;  could  not 
The  thought  of  Hell's  abyss  from  which  God  drew 
Thy  soul,  restrain  thee,  Decius? 

Decius.  Was  I  brought 

Before  thee  but  to  hear  a  homily  ? 
Proceed,  and  let  me  be  confronted  with 
This  meddling  knave  who  dares  accuse  mo :  when 
Condemned  'tis  time  to  preach. 

JJrban  My  son,  I  grieve 

To  find  thy  language  bears  him  out.    Proceed, 
And  let  the  faithful,  Athanasius,  hear 
Thy  story. 

Athanasius.  Brethren,  last  night  I  was  sent, 

As  usual,  to  the  city  for  our  food. 


»•"«-%. 


^■P 


50 


CECILIA. 


Near  Trajan's  column  I  was  passing,  when 
A  party  of  young  prolligates  passed  by, 
Singing  their  impious,  Bacchanalian  songs. 
Among  them  was  our  brother  Decius,  he 
The  noisiest,  most  dissipated  there. 

Decius.  Thou  liest,  knave  ! 

Athaii.  Surprised  and  shocked,  I  stood 

For  some  time  still,  then  followed  unobserved,   . 
To  try  and  draw  him  from  them.    Soon  they  reached 
A  gambling  rendezvous,  and  entered.    I 
Remained  till  Decius  left,  resolved  to  try 
Persuasion  with  him,  and  thus  win  him  back, 
If  possible,  to  God  and  grace.     He  left- 
In  company  with  one  Septimius,  who 
Ranks  first  in  Rome  as  villian. 

Decius.  "Were  he  hero, 

Thou  wouldst  not  dare  accost  him  so.     Go  on. 

Alhan.  Some  stray  words  of  their  conversation  reached 
My  ear,  and  as  they  hinted  some  dark  plot 
Against  our  Holy  Father,  I  resolved 
To  play  eavesdropper  in  such  righteous  cause. 
Behind  a  pillar  couched,  I  heard  their  plot, 
So  foul  that  in  it  death  to  us  was  least. 

Decius.  Tby  proofs,  thou  lying  hypocrite  !  produce. 

Athan.     (Producing  a  roll  of  papyrus.^     This  scroll  of 
thine  is  proof  enough,  I  ween. 

Decius.    {Endeavoring  to  snatch  it  from  him.)     Confusion  ! 
'tis  my  property ;  what  right 
Hast  thou  to  keep  it  ? 


0**  tUM.k 


.  *l  »J|  WW**  ' 


■■P 


C.KOILIA. 


51 


Athan.    {Handing  it  to  Urban.)     Holy  Father,  here 
I  placo  this  proof  in  thy  hands  :  'tis  enough. 

Urban.    (  Unrolling  it.)    What's  here  ?    A  map,  too  ac- 
curate, alas  ! 
Of  this  retreat  and  all  its  avenues. 
Below,  the  signature  of  Dccius  to 
A  deed  of  payment  for  a  gambling  debt. 
Great  God  !    What  payment !  in  our  blood.    Attend. 

(Reads.)  Decius  binds  himself  to  pay  Septimius,  in  con- 
sideration of  one  hundred  scsterlia  lost  by  him  at  the  duo- 
dccim  scripta;^  this  map,  the  safe  delivery  into  his  hands  of 
Coecilia,  the  daughter  of  Quintilian,  nd  the  blood  of  Ur- 
ban, the  arch  Nazarene,  with  all  his  outlawed  gang 

My  son,  I'll  not  reproach  thee,  but  entreat 
Thee  to  repentance  ;  there's  the  path  of  sorrow, 
'Twill  lead  thee  back  to  Heaven  j  spurn  it  not, 
But  here  confess  thy  sin,  we'll  pray  for  thee. 

Decius.  Enough  !  this  farce  of  Piety  doth  sicken. 
I'll  have  no  more  of  it,  if  yon  smooth  knave 
Can  thus  malign  me,  forge  my  name,  and  show 
Such  document  as  mine. 

Urban.  Alas  !  my  child, 

Thou'rt  bound  to  Lucifer  too  strong  for  grace 
To  melt  thy  soul.     I  must  pronounce  on  thee 
The  sentence  that  will  cast  thee  from  the  fold 
Of  Christ.     Again,  I  call  thee  to  repentance. 

Decius.  Go  on,  I've  ta'en  my  course,  and  care  not  whither 
It  leads. 

Urban.  Then  from  the  fold  of  Christ  and  all 


-  iv    • .,  .1,  rfi  »,^, 


V 


»  <y* -!»  f  ^ 


"WJ,!^-.™ 


imamm 


«ii«i 


«Hi 


52 


CECILIA. 


Communication  with  the  faithful,  or 

Purticipation  with  tliem  in  the  grace 

Of  sacraments  and  sacrifice  to  God, 

I,  representative  of  Him  on  earth. 

In  virtue  of  the  power  of  the  keys, 

Do  excommunicate  thee,  Decius.    And 

If  any  Christian  dares  revoke  this  edict 

Pronounced  here,  let  him  be  anathema. 

Away,  lost  sheep,  thou  hast  a  hideous  blight 

Upon  thee  ;  'eave  this  foM  of  mercy.     Go  ! 

Defile  not  these  pure  lambs  with  thy  curs'd  presence. 

Chorus  of  Demons. 

Merrily,  merrily,  sing  we  fiends, 

Another  soul  is  ours  : 
Then  welcome  him  to  Hell's  dark  scenes, 

And  the  Pandemonian  bow'rs. 

HeV  cast  away  from  Heav'n  and  Grace, 
In  the  fold  of  Christ  he  has  no  place. 

In  Heaven  no  advocate ; 
We  must  prepare  a  throne  for  him 
Of  fire  Tartarean,  where  each  limb 

Shall  broil  on  its  chair  of  state. 
No  time  or  rest  we'll  grant  him  there, 
But  he'll  drink  of  our  Stygian  wine  so  rare 

And  his  thirst  shall  never  abate. 

Ila !  ha  !  ha !    Up  !  ha !  ha !  laugh  we  fiends, 

Another  soul  is  won ; 
Prepare  his  couch,  ye  merry  fiends, 

For  our  work,  our  work  is  done. 

(All  shrink  away  in  horror  from  Decius.   He  turns  to  each 
in  vain  to  receive  him.) 


•^.^ -,!-■»*  ■< 


>.»■-., 


CiSCILIA, 


53 


Decius.  By  Hades  !  tlien  I'll  have  revenge  on  all 

Ye  cursed  Nazarenes.    I'll  hence  to  Rome, 
And  bring  Almachius  on  ye.    Yes,  that  scroll 
Shall  be  receipted,  and  those  chambers  run 
Knee  deep  in  your  vile  blood :  thy  hoary  head, 
Proud  Urban,  shall  be  levelled  to  the  dust. 
Farewell,  kind  Christians,  I'll  be  here  anon. 
Friend  Athanasius,  it  were  better  far 
Thou  ne'er  were  born  than  to  have  roused  my  ire. 

[Exit  Decius. 

Athan.  May  God  protect  his  servants  in  the  hour 
Of  trial. 

Urban  Brethren,  we  must  leave  this  place 

At  once,  and  meet  to-night  r  ithin  the  church 
Beneath  the  Fountains.    Decius  knows  it  not;  | 

But  Athanasius  will  conduct  you  thither. 
Retire  with  him,  there's  no  time  now  to  spare. 
Quintilian,  stay — thy  daughter  too.    I've  much 
To  question  thee  on  late  events. 

[Exeunt  omneSj  except  Urban,  Quint.,  and  Ojecilia. 

Quint.  What  peace 

And  joy  now  fills  my  heart,  the  dark  void's  gone, 
Rome's  noblest  senator,  I  was  a  child 
Groping  in  helplessness  and  outer  darkness. 
Now,  Holy  Father,  thy  instructive  words 
With  Faith,  unroll  a  panorama  bright 
Beyond  this  dark  and  dreary  world. 

Urban.  'Tis  naught 

To  what  sweet  visions  will  o'erflow  thy  soul 
To-night  when  thy  probation's  o'er,  and  grace 


n  . 


54 


CECILIA. 


Shall  with  tlio  waters  of  regeneration 

Be  poured  upon  thy  head.     I  will  receive 

Thee  and  thy  friends  whom  thou  hast  brought  to-night     ■ 

Into  the  bosom  of  the  Church.    ( Ccecilia  weeps.)    How  now, 

Good  child,  Caecilia,  tender  lamb  of  Christ, 

"Why  weepest  thou  on  such  occasion,  when 

Thou  seest  thy  long  and  patient  faith  rewarded  7 

Why  is  thy  face  so  blanched  ?     That  look  of  care 

And  grief,  whence  comes  it  ? 

CcBcilia.  Holy  Father,  I 

Have  lost  my  tender  lamb,  ray  Agnes. 


Quint. 
Came  she  not  with  ye  ? 


What! 


Ccscilia,  Alas !  the  time  was  sliort,  the  enemy  come, 
We  missed  her  when  we  reached  the  cave ;  with  her 
We  also  missed  old  Niger,  who  descended 
The  passage  with  us  :  he  went  back,  we  think, 
To  rescue  her.    Valerian  ventured  too 
To  leave  our  dark  asylum,  but  no  trace 
Of  either  could  he  find.    One  of  our  slaves 
Who  had  survived  the  massacre,  denied 
That  she  or  Niger  fell  a  victim  to 
The  cruel  Almachius :  she  was  taken  first, 
But  rescued  quite  mysteriously.     Alas  ! 
I  fear  the  dove  is  in  the  fowler's  hands. 

Urhan.  Have  confidence,  my  child,  God  will  not  leave 
Her  in  the  spoiler's  meshes  long :  be  calm 
And  pray  to  Him  for  aid  in  thy  distress. 
Perhaps  some  strange  prot'^ctor  interposed 
Between  thy  Agnes  and  the  grasp  of  Death. 


OiECILIA.  65 

Thou  knowest  how  inscrutable  the  ways 
Of  God  are. 

CoRcUia.  Thanks,  dear  father,  for  those  words 

Of  hope  and  life  ;  they  lift  me  from  the  depths 
Of  sorrow. 

Urban.  Cheer  thy  heart  then  ;  so  to-night, 

Quintilian,  thou  shalt,  with  thy  friends,  receive 
The  waters  of  true  life  ;  now  follow  me, 
We'll  deck  the  Fountain  Church  in  bright  attire, 
And  make  its  subterranean  aisles  resound 
With  hymns  of  joy.    Let's  hence,  the  time  is  short ! 

{Exeunt, 


SCENE  II.— A  RUINED  MAUSOLEUM— A  TRAP-DOOR, 
SHOWING  THE  ENTRANCE  TO  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE 
CATACOMBS— VIEW  OF  TOMBS,  PALM  GROVES,  &c.,  AT 
THE  BACK. 

Enter  Niger,  leading  Agnes  hy  the  hand.    He  sits  on  a  broken 

slab  of  marble. 

We'll  rest  awhile,  my  little  dove,  and  thou  canst  re- 
fresh thy  eyes  and  limbs  with  slumber  on  this  mossy 
couch,  while  I  act  as  sentinel. 

Agnes.  But,  dear  Niger,  when  shall  we  see  my  Cascilia  ? 

Niger.  Shortly,  child;  rest  thyself  here,  and  I'll  search 
for  the  entrance  to  her  retreat.  (Agnes  goes  behind  a  tomb, 
and  stretches  herself  on  the  ground.  Niger  throios  his  cloak  ever 
her.) 

Niger.  Dear  Niger !  good  Niger !  better  Niger !  best 
Niger !  that's  a  nice  way  I'm  compared.    There's  their 


I 


56 


CiGCILIA. 


manner  of  addressing  me,  just  as  if  there  was  a  particle 
of  goodness  or  dearness  about  this  dusky  form.  Not  a 
bit  of  it.  I  cannot  account  for  the  extraort  inary  feeling 
with  which  this  child  inspires  me.  "Why,  she  can  lead 
me  whither  she  pleases,  and  in  her  presence  I  feel  my 
breast  glowing  with  new  and  tender  emotions  of  love  and 
respect.  "Why,  you'll  laugb,  I  know,  when  I  tell  it — I  ac- 
tually cried  when  I  witnessed  her  grief  for  Caecilii*.  At 
least  some  drops  of  liquid  fell  from  my  eyes,  perhaps  they 
were  cobwebs.  How  on  earth  could  I  have  missed  "Vale- 
rian and  Orecilia  in  that  Tartarean  passage  ?  There  must 
have  been  two  corridors  leading  from  the  cave,  and  each 
of  us  took  a  different  one.  It  was  so  confounded  dark  I 
could  only  grope  my  way.  The  managers  of  that  under- 
ground railroad  should  have  more  light  in  their  tunnel. 
Those  underground  railroads  are  great  institutions.  They 
remind  me  of  a  little  story  I  heard  once  in  my  na- 
tive Numidia.  You  needn't  laugh  at  it,  as  there's 
no  joke  attached  ;to  it.  I  always  keep  my  stories 
and  my  jokes  apart,  as  they  spoil  each  other.  But 
for  the  story :  Once  upon  a  time,  in  the  days  of  old 
Masanissa,  near  the  city  of  Cirta,  there  lived  a  camel 
driver.  Camels  and  dromedaries,  you  know,  are  the  only 
locomotives  we  have  in  the  desert.  This  camel  driver  was 
a  queer  genius,  quite  original  and  sarcastic.  One  day 
he  was  returning  on  his  camel  from  Sitifis,  when  he  met 
old  Masanissa,  who  was  on  his  way  to  Scipio's  camp. 
"  "Whither  now,  good  Culbi  ?"  said  the  King.  "  To  Rome, 
sire,"  replied  the  camel  engineer.  "  To  Rome,  knave ; 
which  is  thy  path  thither  ?"  inquired  the  prince.  "  It's  a 
Masanissian  or  underground  one,"  answered  Culbi.  The 
King  winced  at  that,  for  he  was  fighting  against  his  own 
country  for  the  Romans,  and  he  at  once  effected  a  change 


OiECILIA. 


67 


of  base  from  Culbi's  tongue.    That  is  a  railroad  story. 
Now  for  a  rale  splitting  joko,  as  an  Hibernian  barbarian, 
wlioin  I  met  ir.  Gaul,  used  to  term  it.    This  individual 
was  clad  in  the  skins  of  a  wild  beast  named  "  corduroy," 
and  carried  in  his  mouth  a  fiery  Fetish  which  he  called 
"  dhudeen."     His   name  was   Patricius   Avickensis,  and 
used  to  keep  our  camp-fire  circle  in  a  roar  of  laughter  all 
the  time.    But  hist ! — some  one  approaches  ;  he  may  not 
be  a  friend,  so  I  will  conceal  myself.    I  wish  to  goodness 
I  had  that  Hibernian  here  ;  he  was  a  trump  at  getting  him- 
self out  of  a  scrape,  or  any  of  his  friends  either.    It  was 
he  gave  me  my  club,  which  he  called  "  shillelagh."     Hush ! 
I'll  watch  this  interloper,  for  he's  not  a  Christian.    {Sinks 
down  behind  a  iomh.) 

Enter  Septimius. 

Sept.  What,  still  at  fault  ?    Cascilia  yet  unfound. 
Nemesis,  aid  my  search  ;  what  demon  could 
Have  thwarted  me  ?     Oh,  how  Almachius  raged 
Last  even  when,  with  Decius  as  our  guide, 
We  burst  a  passage  through  the  Christian  den, 
Without  discovering  one. 


Niger.    (Aside.) 
I  sympathize  with  you. 


Poor  fellow,  how 


Sept.  I  still  have  hope 

In  Decius,  he's  one  after  my  own  heart. 

Mger.  He  must  be  Satan  then.    A  No.  1  knavo, 

Enter  Decius. 

Decitis.  Septimius,  good !  I've  found  a  clue,  and  here 
Their  nest  must  be. 


58 

Sept. 
My  Decius,  tell  me  all. 


CiECILIA. 


lo  triumphe !  thanks, 


Decius.  I  tracked  to-day 

The  steps  of  Athanasius  here,  and  saw 
Ilim  enter  by  a  secret  passage.     Ha  ! 
(Lifting  the  trap-door.)     'Tis  here,  by  Hades !  watch,  Septi- 

mius,  close, 
Almachius  is  not  far,  I'll  hie  to  him, 
And  bring  him  hither  with  his  blood-hounds.     Joy, 


The  demons  favor  me. 


[Exit  Decius. 


Sept.     (Searching  around.)     I  knew  he'd  scent 
And  ferret  out  the  hares.     Caacilia's  there  ! 
How  exquisite  my  hato  ;  how  dull  those  plans 
Of  vengeance  which  I  lirst  concei^^ed  Lo  vow. 

(^Discovers  Agnes  aslcejy^  raises  the  cloak  front  her  face. 

Niger  steals  behind.) 

Her  baby  sister,  good,  she's  left  her  here. 

And  will  return  for  her  ere  long.     I'll  stab 

Her  as  she  sleeps.     (^Draics  his  dagger  and  raises  it  over  her.) 

One  blow  to  send  the  brat 

To  meet  her  God  and  rend  her  sister's  heart. 

(Niger  stabs  him  behind.   He  staggers  back  and  falls  loith 
a  cry.) 

Niger.  There's  two  that  have  a  say  m  that,  friend  Sep- 
timius.  I'd  rather  you  would  cut  me  to  pieces  than  injure 
a  hair  of  that  darling's  head. 

Enter  C^xilia. 

Ccecilia.  I  heard  a  cry  of  agony  hero.  Heaven  grant 
the  enemy  be  not  within  our  fold.    What's  here  ?    A  man 


C^OILIA. 


59 


lying  at  the  point  of  death.    Good  Heavens  !  'tis  our  worst 
foe,  Septimius. 

Niger.  He'll  never  do  thee  injury  again. 

C<mlia.  Niger!   thanks,  sweet  Saviour.     "Where's  my 
Agnes  ? 

Niger.  Sa^G.    Behold!    (Lifts  the  cloak.  Agues  wakes  and 
springs  into  her  arins.)  '" 

CcEcilia.  My  little  lamb,  thou  knowest  not  what  anxious 
hours  I  have  spent  since  I  missed  thee. 

Agnes.  Dear  Oascilia,  we  shall  part  no  more.  I  thought 
the  hour  of  meeting  would  never  come. 

(Septimius  rises  himself  loith  difficulty  on  his  elbow,  faintly 
calling):  Water  !  water  !  (Cecilia  takes  a  gourd  lying  on 
the  tomb  and  runs  out.) 

Niger.  Well  I  declare,  if  she  hasn't  gone  for  water 
for  this  crushed  viper,  which  would  have  stung  her  to 
death.  Some  women  are  incomprehensible,  but  she's  the 
incomprehensiblest  I  ever  met.  (CiEciLiA  returns  with 
water.) 

Ccecilia.  Quick,  good  Niger,  raise  his  head  on  your  knee. 
We  must  try  and  revive  him  first  and  then  attend  to  his 
wound. 

Niger.  Perhaps,  my  lady,  your  eyesight  is  not  good. 
This  is  Septimius,  of  whose  zeal  in  your  welfare  you've  had 
plenty  of  proofs. 

Ccecilia.  No  matter.  Our  religion  is  one  of  forgiveness. 
Why  didst  thou  give  way  thus  to  revenge,  Niger,  and  slay 
thy  brother  mortal  ? 


60 


OiECILIA. 


Nigen  He  my  brother  ?  I  know  I'm  not  possessed  of 
even  a  particle  of  goodness,  and  bear  the  reputation  of  be- 
ing a  hard  nut,  but  certainly  I  would  not  remain  one  hour 
in  existence,  if  I  thought  I  belonged  to  the  same  family  as 
the  gambler,  Septimius. 

CcEcUia.  Christ  died  for  all  alike.    Assist  me,  worthy 
friend. 

Niger.  That  last  name's  a  settler:  I  must  obey. 

(Raises  tJi.  head  of  Septimius  on  his  knee.  OiECiLiA 
moistens  the  lips  and  hroio  of  the  sufferer.  He  slowly 
revives.) 

Sept.  Where  am  I  ?  What  is  this  that  drags  me  down, 
As  with  an  iron  hand,  to  Hades  ? 

CcccUia.  Death  i 

Septimius  ;  think  of  God.    I'll  pray  for  thee  j 
Thou  shalt  find  mercy  if  thou  ask  it. 

Sept.  What ! 

Caecilia,  whom  I  doomed  to  worse  than  death, 
And  tracked  with  blood-hound  scent,  she,  pray  for  me  ? 
Oh  I  this  is  worse  than  Tartarus. 

Cddlia.  Be  calm, 

I  pray  thee :  we'll  bind  up  thy  wounds. 

Sept.  Too  late ! 

I'm  sped  !  thy  words  fall  on  my  ear  like  fire  j 
But  mercy  or  repentance  are  not  sent 
To  such  as  me.    Away,  or  curse  me,  Ate  I 

Cacilia.  Mercy  is  for  the  sinner.    In  the  blood 


CECILIA. 

That  flowed  from  Calvary's  tree  the  blackest  sins 
And  foulest  crimes  are  washed  away  ;  the  soul, 
Long  seared  by  guilt,  is  made  as  white  as  snow. 
Breathe  but  one  pray'r,  Septimius,  and  thou'rt  saved. 
I'd  gladly  give  my  life  for  thine,  if  thus 
Thy  soul  were  God's. 

Sept.  Caecilia,  thou  hast  poured 

A  stream  of  lava  on  my  head.    I  thought 
Of  vengeance  only,  but  of  mercy  now. 
Thou  and  thy  race  are  doomed  ;  the  Prefect's  guards 
Are  here  anon,  with  Decius  as  their  guide. 
Fly,  fly,  or  thou  art  lost.     Oh  !  God,  mj  crimes 
Rise  up  in  judgment  'gainst  me  :  there's  no  hope 
For  such  a  flend  as  I  have  been. 

Ccecilia.  Look  up. 

And  pray  to  Hi.u,  the  refuge  of  all  sinners  ; 
Who  sweetly  beckons  thee  to  Grace. 

Sept.  Alas  I 

There  was  a  time  when  I,  a  child,  oft  knelt 
Beside  my  sainted  Christian  mother,  when 
No  fierce,  wild  passions  rent  my  breast  or  drove 
Me  headlong  into  crime. 

Ccccilia.  Oh,  let  the  mem'ry 

Of  those  blest  days  recall  thy  soul  from  sin. 

Sept.  I  see  her  now  in  thee,  as  oft  she  knelt 
In  agony  at  my  feet,  her  streaming  eyes 
And  feeble  hands  clasped  on  her  breast :  she  knelt 
To  me,  her  child,  I  spurned  her,  and  she  died. 
Oh,  Hades  !  how  that  pale  face  haunts  me  now. 


61 


62 


CECILIA. 


CmclUa.  Think  only  of  her  love,  she  smiles  on  thee 
From  her  high  throne  in  Ileav'n. 

Sept.  Thy  words  are  life, 

CjDcilia,  falling  on  my  heart  like  balm. 
They  melt  the  granite  of  my  Ireast.     I  feel 
A  strange  wild  hope  spring  up  there.     Pray  for  me, 
AVroDged  lady,  God  cannot  reject  thy  prayer. 

CcEcilia    May  He  forgive  the(5,  call  thee  to  Himself, 
And  make  thee  child  of  grace  again  in  Heaven. 

Se2)K  Let  me  but  touch  thy  hand  before  I  die  ; 
Thy  touch  repels  those  hissing  fiends  that  strive 
To  drag  me  down  to  them.    Have  mercy.  Lord, 
I  call  upon  Thee  in  this  hour  of  death. 
The  demon's  vanquished  ;  angels  smile  on  me, 
And  mother  stretches  forth  her  arms 1  come  I    Dies, 

CdcclUa.  Another  soul  is  gone  to  God.    Oh  joy  ! 
Now  to  acquaint  our  friends  of  Dccius'  snare. 
Niger,  remain  here  with  my  Agnes,  till 
I  warn  our  brethren  of  the  enemy. 

Niger.  No  time  to  lose.     Conceal  thyself  and  wait 
With  Agnes  here  while  I  descend. 


Ccccilia. 
Thou  knowest  not  that  labyrinthine  cave, 
Look  round  for  some  asylum  while  I'm  gone, 
And  guard  my  little  sister. 


Remain. 


Agnes.  (Rumiing  to  her.) 
Thy  Agnes,  we  may  never  meet  again. 


Do  not  leave 


Civcilia.  All  things  are  in  the  hands  of  God  ;  I  will, 


CiEOILIA. 


63 


If  He  permit,  once  more  return  to  thee. 
If  not,  we'll  meet  in  Heaven  ne'er  to  part. 

{Kisses  Agnes  and  descends  by  the  trap-door.) 

Niger.  "We'll  hide  behind  this  tomb,  my  little  dove, 
Until  thy  sister  comes  !    Fear  not,  no  harm 
Shall  o'er  befall  thee  while  there's  life  and  strength 
In  this  right  arm.     (Clash  of  arms  heard.) 
They're  hero  !     Down,  child,  at  once  ; 
They'd  drink  thy  blood  like  hungry  wolves. 

(Sinks  doionhehind  a  tomh^holding  Agnes  with  one  hand 
hy  the  arm^  the  other  raised  to  his  lips  in  an  attitude  of 
warning  and  attention.) 

Enter  Almachius  and  Decius,  with  Guards. 

Almachius.    (Seeing  the  body  o/Septimius.)   What's  this  1 
My  bold  Scptimius  sped  !     Revenge,  my  hounds, 
Those  cursed  Nazarenes  have  slain  our  comrade. 
Now  for  their  dark  concealment. 

Decius.  (Lifting  tip  the  trap-door.)       Here's  the  entrance. 
Descend  and  we  shall  cage  them.     Ilark  ! 

('llie  strains  of  the  organ  and  voices  in  harmony  are  heard 
issuing  from  the  subterranean  Church.) 

Decius.  'Tis  well. 

We've  run  them  down  ;  I'll  reconnoitre  first. 
Remain  'till  I  return.     (Descends.) 

Almachius.  Septimius  gone  ! 

His  was  a  daring  spirit,  one  I  thought 
Would  yet  be  first  in  Rome,  an  iron  will 
That  bent  all  to  its  dictates ;  cunning  mind, 
Fertile  in  plots,  say  whither  hast  thou  gone  ?    (Attempts 
to  lift  the  body.) 


1: 


64 


CECILIA. 


That  lithe  and  wiry  frame  is  stiff  and  cold, 
The  arm  that  dealt  full  many  a  stroke  of  death 
llangs  nerveless  now.    Thy  death  shall  be  avenged, 
Thy  manes  haunt  no  more  the  Stygian  banks,  f 

And  Christian  blood  shall  How  for  thine. 

(Decius  appears  at  the  trap-door  and  calls) :       Gome  on, 
The  feast  of  blood  is  ready  ;  they're  all  here ; 
Give  me  thy  axe,  friend,  this  slight  sword  can't  do 
The  work  of  death  half  quick  enough. 
(One  of  the  Guards  hands  him  an  axe.)  Descend, 

My  comrades,  hew  the  wretches  down ;  blood-hounds, 
Fasten  your  fangs  in  Christian  throats,  and  glut 
Yourselves  in  blood.    Descend.    ( 2'he  Gimrds  descend  one  hy 
one.) 

Almachim.  (  The  organ  strains  again  heard.)  Caecilia  spare, 
And  bring  her  prisoner  with  you  ;  she  shall  writhe 
In  tortures  worse  than  death  or  sacrifice 
To  Rome's  gods.    On  !  I  follow !  hew  them  down  ! 

( ITie  last  of  the  Guards  having  descended^  Almachius 
follows.    Niger  rises.) 

Niger.  Heaven  help  our  friends  I  they're  doomed  beyond 
relief: 
Let's  fly  at  once. 

Agnes.    (Advancing  towards  the  trap-door.)    I'll  die  with, 
my  Caecilia  I 
I've  not  a  friend  who  loves  me  when  she's  gone. 

Niger.  No  friend  ?   I'll  bo  thy  friend  and  father.    Come, 
My  life  shall  be  devoted  to  thy  care, 
Thou'lt  teach  me  goodness ;  this  right  arm  shall  shield 
Thee  from  all  foes.    With  thee  my  heart  shall  know 


0/EOILIA. 


65 


The  father's  bliss,  and  thy  sweet  presence  shall 
Reclaim  mo  from  my  wicked  life.    Ilurk  !     Now 

(  NoLie  and  vpronr  below.     Clafih  of  arms  and  cries  heard. ) 
The  carnival  of  Death  begins.    Lot's  hence  !  \Exmnt. 


SCENE  III.— THE  CIIUKCII  OF  THE  CATACOMBS. 

Grand  Tableau.     Massacre  of  the  Christians. 

At  the  back  of  the  stage,  an  altar,  with  lights,  orna- 
ments, &c.  Christians  and  soldiers  in  dilFerent  attitudes. 
Urban,  with  his  hands  stretched  out  in  the  act  of  bestow- 
ing his  benediction,  is  sinking  back  witli  an  arrow  srick- 
jng  in  his  breast.  One  of  the  soldiers  stands  near  the 
foot-lights  with  a  bow  in  his  hand,  having  just  discha  ged 
the  arrow  at  Urban.  Almachius  stands  in  the  centre, 
with  his  arms  folded,  a  smile  of  triumph  on  his  face.  Do- 
cius  has  his  axe  raised  over  the  bent  and  kneeling  form  of 
Athanasius.  Tiburtius  and  Quintilian  are  lying  on  the 
ground,  th  j  former  endeavoring  in  vain  to  rise.  Valerian 
stands  over  their  bodies,  sword  in  hand,  protecting  Ca^ci- 
lia,  who  is  supporting  her  dead  father's  head  in  her  lap. 
Two  of  the  Guards  are  attacking  him  with  lance  and  axe, 
while  a  third  at  the  farthest  corner  of  the  stage  is  draw- 
ing an  arrow  on  him.  The  other  groups  may  be  arranged 
according  to  the  fancy  of  the  stage  manager.  A  large 
doll,  representing  an  infant,  might  be  in  the  hands  of  one 
of  the  guards,  who  has  seized  it  by  the  leg,  and  is  about 
to  dash  out  its  brains.  The  mother  kneels  at  his  feet, 
stretching  forth  her  hands  for  her  babe.  The  foot-lights 
should  be  all  lowered  or  extinguished,  and  the  scene  well 
illuminated  with  red  fire. 


mm 


ppgpipppMiii  II  iJJ]   J..  II  mm  .1.1  iiuw 


66 


Oi£CILIA. 


ACT    III. 

SCENE  I.— THE  PKEFECT'S  TRIBUNAL. 

Almachius  on  his  judgment  seat,  surrounded  hy  Guards,  Citi- 
zens, d^c,  ^'C.  At  one  side  a  statue  of  a  heathen  deity,  with 
incense  burning  htfore  it.     Cecilia,  with  her  hands  hound, 

•  stands  before  the  Prefect;  behind  him,  Decius,  and  near  the 
statue,  Egeria. 

AlmacMus.  Rash  girl!  why  brave  my  wrath?    Hast 
thou  not  seen 
And  felt  the  consequences  ? 

Cwcilia.  Yes,  I've  seen 

The  links  that  bound  me  to  this  cold  world  severed, 
Husband  and  father,  brother,  friend.    What  more 
Of  love  or  hope  remains,  when  they  are  gone  '{ 
What  is  there  in  this  dark  life  to  regret 
At  Death's  glad  summons  ?    Longing  for  the  hour 
Of  blest  reunion,  prayed  I  to  my  God, 
And  He  rejected  not  His  virgin's  prayer.  ' 

Plunged  in  a  fiery  bath,  I  felt  the  air 
Around  me  soft  as  Syria's  breeze,  and  cam© 
His  angels  with  sweet  consolations  laden. 
Amid  the  darkness  of  the  Mamertine, 
Three  days  immured  in  loathsome  dungeons,  where 
The  damp  floor,  oozing  fptid  exhalations. 
Was  all  my  couch,  there  have  I  tasted  bliss, 
And  that  unhallowed  cell  seemed  Paradibe. 
I've  seen  in  glory  clad,  'mid  myriad  shapes 
Of  light  celestial,  my  Valerian.     Oh  ! 
How  brightly  shone  that  noble  countenance. 


mm 


^..  ,.--'■- 


OiEClLIA.  G7 

E'en  when  on  earth  it  mirrored  forth  a  soul, 

That  breathed  naught  but  honor,  love,  and  truth. 

And  oh  !  to  see  it  lighted  with  Heaven's  beams, 

And  tenderness  for  his  lone  spouse  ;  the  sight 

Were  worth  a  Purgatory.    I  had  eyes 

For  him  alone  'mid  that  bright  host  that  came 

To  comfort  me.     Sweet  Saviour,  pardon  me, 

If  this  heart  dwell  too  much  on  him,  my  lost  one. 

Lost  ?    No,  he's  gone  before  me  to  prepare 

A  place  among  the  mansions  of  the  blest 

For  his  Caecilia,  where  eternally 

We'll  sing  the  praises  of  the  mighty  Triune. 

They  told  mo  on  my  way  from  Mamertine, 

I  was  three  days  immured  there,  yet  it  seemed 

With  that  bright  vision  but  a  moment's  space. 

Soft  strains  of  liquid  harmony  still  bear 

My  soul  in  billowy  sweetness  up  to  God, 

On  the  wide  Ocean  of  Divine  Love. 

Almach.  Cease ! 

This  insane  folly,  girl,  will  not  avail 
To  shield  thee  from  my  vengeance.    Think 
On  life  and  all  its  pleasures.    Thou  art  young, 
And  fair,  and  Plutus'  child. 

OEcUia.  Yes,  Plutus'  love, 

That  sordid,  base,  degraded  love  for  wealth. 
Is  all  that's  left  me  when  Valerian's  gone. 
Cix3cilia,  wealthy,  Roman  dame,  fair  prey 
For  fortune-hunters,  Plutus-loved  ?    Go  on. 

Almach.  Mar  not  thy  fair  face  with  the  cynic's  sneer. 
Thou'rt  young  and  rich,  what  more  in  life  wilt  thou  ? 
I  can  add  honors,  ay  !  imperial  too. 


jPfPHPUCWBIWW 


PS'iw;  !'L,iiJ.J-.i!i.«w  w-^i'-uw « 


iPffSwnFtwrrr- 


"TF" 


68 


CECILIA. 


Thou  knowest  my  meaning.    Come,  forsake  this  low, 
Degraded  faith  of  thine,  and  turn  to  those 
Proud  gods  of  Rome,  that  made  her  what  she  is. 

Coscilia.  Proud  gods  ?    Those  types  of  human  wickedness, 
Ye  clothe  with  attributes  which  e'en  in  Home 
No  man  dare  practice  with  impunity. 
Nay  more,  not  one  community  on  earth, 
Barbarian  or  civilized,  would  suiFer 
Such  shameless  miscreants  to  live  an  hour 
Unpunished  'mong  them,  but  would  hurl  at  once 
As  unclean  things  and  monsters  from  their  midst. 
Men  guilty  of  a  tithe  of  those  foul  crimes 
Related  of  Rome's  gods. 

Almach.  Be  silent,  wretch ! 

Thy  daring  insolence  is  past  endurance  ; 
Septimius  spoke  but  truly  when  he  said. 
Thou  hadst  thy  father's  stubborn  spirit.     Come, 
Thou  sacriticest  on  yon  shrine  at  once, 
Or 

Decius.        Give  her  up  to  me  if  she  refuses. 
I  long  to  try  those  tests  of  Nazarenes 
Within  thy  torture  chamber.    Still  the  fiend 
Imprisoned  in  my  breast  cries  out  for  blood  j 
He  entered  with  the  curse  of  Urban,  and 
Ever  revives  to  rack  my  breast  with  fire. 

Almach.  Thou  hearest,  girl ;  decide,  thy  time  is  short. 

Coecilia.  I  have  decided.    God  will  grant  me  strength, 
And  bear  me  through  the  ordeal. 


Almach, 


Then,  thou'rt  doomed. 


^IMP 


mmmmmmmmimmm 


CECILIA. 


69 


Away  with  her,  my  Decius,  to  the  torture, 
And  let  th'  insulted  gods  have  vengeance. 

Ccecilia.  Hold ! 

Yon  outcast  from  the  fold  of  Christ  cannot 
Lay  hands  upon  a  Christian  maiden.  Let 
Thy  guards  conduct  me. 

Decius.  Braved,  by  Hades  !  now, 

Weak,  puny  creature,  thou  hast  roused  the  fiend 
That  slumbered  since  the  feast  of  blood. 

Ccecilia.  Beware  I 

Unhappy  outcast,  lest  that  fiend  be  struck 
With  lightning  vengeance,  and  thou  perish  with  him. 
The  senteiice  of  God's  Vicar,  avalanche-like, 
May  crush  thee  if  thou  dar'st  lay  hands  on  one 
Of  His  dear  lambs,  for  though  that  shepherd's  slain, 
His  flock  dispersed,  yet  there  is  One  above 
Who  said :  "  I'm  with  you  all  days."    Ho  will  guard 
The  humblest  of  that  flock  from  thee,  apostate. 

Deciibs.  I  here  defy  Him,  dare  Him  do  His  worst, 
And  seize  thee  in  deapite. 

(Placing  his  hand  on  CiEciLu's  shoulder,  she  shrinks 
away,  and  extends  her  hound  hands  towards  him. 
He  staggers  hack,  with  a  loud  cry.) 

Ckcilia.  Unhappy  man! 

Thy  doom  is  sealed. 

Dedus,  I  burn  !  help!  fire  !  my  breast 

Is  Phlegethon.     Oh,  save  me  from  this  fiend 
That  clutches  at  my  throat.    Oh  God !  the  air 
Is  peopled  with  dark  clouds  of  laughing  demons. 


70 


CECILIA. 


They  circle  round  me  in  a  horrid  dance. 

What  scene  is  that  they  point  to  ?    'Tis  the  Church, 

"With  Urban  and  his  fellow-victims.     See  ! 

The  ground  is  opening  'neath  my  feet.     Oh  !  mercy, 

llelease  my  limbs,  those  serpents  twine  around  them. 

Ha!  one  is  gnawing  at  my  breast ;  'tis  he 

The  worm  of  conscience.    Mercy  !    Spare  me,  fiends. 

I'm  sinking  down — the  circle's  closing.     Off! 

A  hand  of  tire  is  on  my  throat ;  a  voice 

Is  hissing  in  my  ear :  "  Thou'rt  mine  !  thou'rt  mine  !" 

(Falls  dead  on  the  steps  of  the  Jrihunal.') 

Almach.  Away  with  her  to  instant  execution  ! 

She's  leagued  with  Furies.    Hence  with  her  at  once  ! 

What !  shrink  ye,  varlets,  from  a  feeble  woman  ? 

Ccecilia.  Lead  on  !    I  follow  cheerfully  to  death 
That  opes  for  me  the  gates  of  Life  and  bliss. 

Egeria.    ( Rushing  forward^  and  throicing  herself  at  Cecilia's 
feet.)    Depart  not,  lady,  ere  thou  grantest  me 
Forgiveness.    I'm  that  wretch  who  sought  thy  life, 
And,  with  Septimius,  leagued  against  thy  honor. 
Thou'rt  worthy  of  Valerian,  worthier  far 
His  spouse  to  be  than  I,  degraded  one. 
For  his  sake,  oh  !  forgive  me ;  tell  me  how 
Thy  God,  dear  lady,  I  can  know,  and  weep 
O'er  my  transgressions  ;  if  aught  hope  remain 
For  one  like  me  to  see  Him  in  His  glory. 
If  e'en  the  humblest  place  in  His  Elysium, 
Where  I  could  see  thee  and  Valerian  happy, 
Can  purchased  be  at  any  price;  if  years 
Of  pcnanrp  and  humiliations  e'er 
Can  buy  it  1 


CECILIA.  71 

Ckcilia.  Dear  Egeria,  God  has  heard 

My  earnest  prayer,  and  moves  thy  heart  to  grace. 
May  He  now  grant  thee  light  to  know  Him.    Come, 
Dear  sister,  I  will  teach  thee  on  my  way 
To  Him  and  bliss,  some  truths  of  life  and  hope. 

Almach.  What's  this,  Egeria?    Christian  too,  thou'rt 
mad ! 
Away,  and  le-^-ve  her  to  her  fate,  or  thou 
Shalt  share  it  with  her.     Hence  !  thou  knowest  me  well. 

Egeria.  As  one  who  wears  the  human  form  as  veil 
For  heart  so  hideous  that  unveiled,  'twould  stiffen, 
Medusa-like,  the  unwary  eye  to  stone. 
Send  me  to  die  with  her  1    Oh,  priceless  boon  ; 
Yet,  ah !  perhaps  we'd  part  to  meet  no  more  j 
T  am  unworthy  to  accompany  her 
To  bliss.    TVouid  not  Valerian  shrink  from  one 
So  lost  and  wicked  ? 

CcEcilia.  Nay,  dear  sister,  fear  not. 
There's  naught  but  joy  in  that  blest  home,  yet  stay- 
Dost  thou  believe  in  one  God  only.    He, 
Th'  eternal,  glorious  Triune  7 

Egeria.  I  believe. 

Ccecilia.  Believest  thou  that  He,  the  Word,  descended 
From  His  bright  throne  to  die  for  fallen  man. 
Opening  the  gates  of  Heaven  ? 

Egeria.  I  believe. 

CcEciUa.  Believest  thou  each  doctrine  of  His  Church. 
That  monument  imperishable,  left 
As  beacon  on  Life's  ocean  ? 


i 


72 


CECILIA. 


Egeria.  I  believe. 

May  He  supply  my  faith  with  light  to  know  them. 

Ccecilia.    (Embracing  her.')    Then  welcome,  sister,  to  the 
fold  of  Life. 

Almach.    (Aside.)    Astonishment    deprives  mo  of   all 
speech, 
I've  gone  too  far,  however,  to  recede. 
(Aloud.)    I've  listened  to  these  rhapsodies  too  long. 
Here  each  shall  offer  incense  on  this  shrine 
And  here  renounce  those  Christian  follies. 


OBcilia  and  Egeria. 


Never ! 


Almach.  Then  die !  and  thou,  Egeria,  shalt  be  first 
To  feel  my  vengeance.     Guards,  away  with  them  ! 
"We'll  see  if  tortures  cannot  tamo  their  spirits. 

Ccccilia.  Dear  neophyte  of  Heaven,  let  us  go  j 
This  ordeal's  sent  to  purify  our  souls. 
And  fit  them  for  the  mansions  of  the  blest. 

[The  Sce7ie  closes  as  they  are  leaving  the  HaU. 


SCEN^II.— THE  TORTURE  CHAMBER. 

histmments  of  torture  lying  around.  The  rack  on  one  side,  and 
Egeria's  body  lying  on  a  bench,  covered  with  a  cloak,  beside 
it.  OiKCiLiA  kneeling  beside  the  corse.  Almaciiius,  Guards, 
and  Executioners  standing  around  the  rack.  At  the  farthest 
corner,  the  headsman,  with  a  black  mask,  is  leaning  on  his 
axe.,  which  rests  against  the  block. 

Almachius.  Can  nothing  move  thee  ?    Look  on  yonder 
corse, 


CiECILIA. 


73 


The  shattered  form  of  Rome'«  proud  beauty.    Wilt  thou 
Contemn  my  threats,  reject  my  offers,  when 
Her  couch  of  torture's  ready  ?    Seest  thou  not 
Those  loops,  that  wheel,  those  rollers  7 

CkecUia.     {Bending  over  the  hody.)  Sister  dear. 

Baptized  in  blood,  Valerian  welcomes  thee. 
Tell  him  the  hour  of  blest  reunion's  near. 
The  tender  voice  of  Him,  that  died  for  man, 
Is  thrilling  every  chord  of  this  fond  heart : 
"  Arise,  my  love,  my  dove,  my  fairest  one, 
The  winter's  past ;  the  spring  has  come,  arise." 

Almach.    (Aside.)    Her  spirit  is  unconquerable  j  yet 
I  cannot  spare  her,  mercy  comes  too  late. 
My  mind  misgives  me ;  Alexander's  eye 
Seems  ever  and  anon  to  blaze  on  me. 
Should  that  report  that  told  his  death  prove  false, 
And  those  assassins  whom  I  trusted  fail, 
My  life  were  forfeited  on  his  return. 
What  fearful  retribution  he'd  exact 
I  dare  not  contemplate  ;  but  this  is  folly, 
Thou'rt  safe,  Almachius,  never  Syrian  steel 
Has  failed  yet.     Out  upon  those  idle  fears. 
(Aloud.)    The  headsman's  ready,  girl,  I'll  spare  thy  limbs 
The  agony  of  yonder  couch,  since  thou 
Hast  suffered  in  the  bath  and  Mamertine. 

(At  a  signal  from  Almachius,  the  headsman  advan- 
ces to  the  side  o/CiEciLTA,  and  touching  her  on  the 
shoulder^  points  to  the  block.  Slie  crosses  over  and 
kneels  beside  it. 

CcEcilia,  Oh,  happy  hour  !  the  happiest  of  my  life, 
In  which  the  prison  doors  of  my  caged  soul 


74 


O^OILIA. 


Are  opened  and  I  mount  to  those  bright  realms 
Of  endless  bliss.    Receive  Thy  servant,  Lord, 
Into  Thy  hands  I  render  back  my  soul, 
Look  not  on  my  unworthiuess  5  supply 
It  with  Thy  grace,  but  hush  !  again  those  strains 
Of  Heaven  rise  upon  my  ear.    That  voice, 
'Tis  his,  Valerian's  ;  now  the  vision  opens, 
What  glorious  beings  people  this  dark  chamber  I 
Its  walls  seem  melting  into  golden  vistas, 
III  which  each  ray  of  light's  an  angel.    See  ! 
There's  One,  who  sits  in  awful  majesty, 
Whose  face  is  veiled.    The  eye  of  flesh.  He  says, 
Could  not  endure  the  glory  of  His  presence  ; 
This  flesh  and  life  before  one  glance  from  Him 
Would  melt  as  snow,  the  freed  soul  springing  forth 
To  cast,  to  lose  itself  in  Him.    Oh,  joy  ! 
The  veil  is  melting  from  mine  eyes ;  my  soul 
Is  trembling  on  the  eve  of  its  departure. 
Again  that  voice,  "  Arise.""    I  come,  I  come  ! 

(Bends  her  head  on  the  block.) 


Chorus  of  Unseen  Spirits. 


Fal. 


Arise,  my  spouse,  the  nuptial  dress 
Of  immortality 

Awaits  thee  in  the  realms  of  bliss 
To  wear  eternally. 
Chorus.  Awake  !  awake !  the  golden  gates 
Of  Paradise  ope  wide ; 
And  He,  thy  Heavenly  Spouse,  awaits 
The  coming  of  the  bride. 
Earth's  weary  pilgrimage  is  o'er 
And  the  good  fifji.t  is  won. 
The  storm-tost  bark  nears  Heaven's  bright  shore, 


CECILIA. 


75 


Life's  cheerless  voyage  done. 

Hail !  virgin,  Heaven  welcomes  thee, 

In  loud  and  joyous  tone, 

Among  her  saints  eternally 

To  sit  upon  thy  throne. 


{A  pause.) 


Almach.    (Aside.)    Unearthly  voices  welcome  her  5  my 
heart 
Is  chilled  with  sudden  terror.    What !  Almachius, 
Trembling  at  airy  phantoms,  out  upon  thee  ! 
Thy  safety  now  demands  her  death ;  away, 
Ye  hissing  monitors  within  my  breast, 
The  work  of  Death  must,  shall  be  done,  away  ! 
{AUmd  to  lieadsman.)  Strike,  slave,  since  mercy's  lost  upon 
her,  strike ! 

{The  headsman  raises  the  axe  over  C^ecilia's  neck^ 
when  a  trumpet  sounds  within  ;  a  cheer  and  shout  of 
"  The  Emperor  !  the  Empexor  /"  "  Long  live  Alex- 
ander !"  is  heard^  aiid  the  emperor,  Alexander 
Severus,  dad  in  armor,  toith  a  military  cloak 
thrown  over  his  shoulders,  a  helmet  with  a  white 
plume  on  his  Jiead,  a  sceptre  in  his  hand,  and  fol- 
lowed by  his  gigantic  limtenant,  Hercules  Maxi- 
MiN,  with  Niger  and  Agnes,  rushes  into  tlie  chamber, 

Alexander.  Heaven  grant  I  be  not  late.    Alas !  too  late. 
(To  headsman.)  Stop,  wretch,  strike  not,  this  bloody  work 

is  o'er ; 
Blood,  blood,  by  Hades  !  fills  this  cursed  chamber. 
(2b  Almach.)  Down  on  thy  knees,  foul  wretch,  before  I 

send 
Thy  demon  spirit  down  to  Tartarus,  down  ! 

(Almachius  falls  on  his  knees.) 


76 


CiECILlA. 


First  raise  this  victim,  there  may  be  life  still. 

(Niger  and  Agnes  raise  the  head  of  CjECILIa;  ii 
falls  back  on  Agnes'  shoulder.) 

Agnes.  Speak  to  me,  sister  !  speak,  thy  Agnes  calls  thee. 
(Kisses  her.) 
What  deadly  chill  is  this  ?    Thy  brow  is  cold  and  pale. 
I  Those  lips  smile  welcome,  and  those  closed  eyes  seem 
To  gaze  upon  some  inward  vision.    Speak ! 
Thou'rt  free. 


Niger. 


Too  late !  too  late  !  her  suffering's  o'er. 


Alex.  Summon  a  leech,  there  may  be  hope. 


Alas! 


Niger. 
Too  late !  too  late  !  her  spirit's  flown  to  God. 

(Agnes  buries  her  head  on  CiEciLiA's  breast  in  an 
agony  of  grief  .) 

Alex.  I'd  gladly  give  Rome's  fairest  province  if 
Her  life  could  thus  be  spared  ;  but  this  fiend's  work 
Was  done  too  surely.     Come,  her  obsequies 
Shall  equal  her  high  worth,  but  first  for  justice. 
Thou  ueed'st  to  tremble,  traitor,  for  thy  fate 
Shall  be  a  traitor's.    Thank  my  clemency 
That  thou'rt  not  placed  on  yonder  rack  ;  but  what ! 
Anotljer  victim  lies  beside  it.    Ah  I    (Discovering  Egeria's 

corse.) 
Egeria !  she,  the  fairest  of  the  fair, 
Marked  for  my  bride  on  my  return.    Ye  gods ! 
Had  ye  no  lightnings  swift  for  this  foul  scourge, 
That  dared  deface  the  masterpiece  of  Nature  ? 
Speak,  fiend,  what  Fury  urged  thee  to  this  crime  1 

Almaoh.  My  zeal  for  thee. 


OiEUILIA.  77 

Alex.  Beware  of  jesting  now, 

Associate  me  with  thy  tiger  spirit, 
And  call  it  zeal  ?    Thou  mockest. 

Ahiach    (Rising.)  No,  mehercle  I 

I  wished  to  pay  divine  and  solemn  honors 
To  thee,  great  Caesar  !  but  those  Nazarenes 
Refused  obedience  ;  braved  thee  in  my  person, 
And  I,  to  avenge  the  insult  shown  to  thee, 
Consigned  them  to  the  executioners. 


Alex.  Thou  shameless  hypocrite  !    I  know  thee  well. 
What  honors  didst  thou  bid  thy  hireling  cut-throats, 
Those  Syrians,  pay  me  in  my  tent  ?    Ha  !  see. 
Thy  coward  cheek  is  blanched.    I'll  tell  thee  all, 
To  show  how  vain  thy  efforts  'gainst  one  loved 
And  guarded  by  the  gods.    Thy  hirelings  came. 
And  gained  admittance  to  the  camp  ;  nay  more, 
A  post  of  honor  near  my  tent.     One  night 
Their  murd'rous,  vile  attempt  was  made,  but  mark, 
In  all  their  calculations  they  forgot 
That  at  my  tent  door  slept  a  trusty  guardian, 
My  faithful  Goth,  Maxim  in  ;  they  forgot 
His  presence,  or  they'd  ne'er  have  ventured  there, 
No  more  than  into  Hades.    I  was  roused 
By  clashing  steel  and  groans  of  dying  wretches. 
Across  the  entrance  stood  my  watchdog,  while 
A  torch's  glare  shone  on  his  iron  mace. 
Sweeping  down  death  and  ruin  on  the  heads 
Of  thy  assassin  throng.    The  fight  was  o'er 
Long  ere  th'  alarm  was  given  in  the  camp. 
For  human  strength  could  not  withstand  those  blows. 
How  many  went  to  Pluto,  my  Achates  ? 


7S 


CECILIA. 


Maximin.    (In  a  grvf  tone.)    But  six;  their  comrades 
fled. 

Alex.  Thou  shalt  be  crowned 

As  old  Dentatus  ;  look  around  thee  here, 
Those  Syrian  guards,  what  thinkest  thou  of  them  ? 

Mcuc.     (Raising  his  iron  mace.     TJie  Guards  shrink  hack.) 

Assassins,  like  the  rest.    Wilt  thou  that  I 

(Sweeps  the  mace  in  a  circle  over  his  head.) 

Alex.  No  ;  hold  thy  weapon,  these  are  senseless  tools. 
Their  master  we  must  punish  only. 

Almach.  Me. ./  ? 

Make  me  thy  lowest  slave,  but  spare  my  life. 

Alex.  Mercy  !  what  mercy  hast  thou  shown  thy  victims. 
The  noblest  head  in  Rome,  Quintilian's,  fell 
With  brave  Tiburtius  and  Valerian  too. 
Before  thy  ruthless  steel ;  a  hecatomb 
Of  victims  cry  aloud  for  vengeance  on  thee. 
This  trusty  slave  has  told  me  all,  he  fled 
With  this  poor  child  from  Rome  and  thee.    I  met 
nim  near  Brundusium,  and  we  hastened  hither, 
Too  late  to  save,  but  not  to  punish. 

Almach.  Spare  me. 

Some  foe  has  falsely  charged  me  as  accomplice 
Of  those  assassins. 

Alex.  What !  thy  signet  ring. 

Thy  gold,  instructions,  what  were  these  ?    No  more. 
I  could  forgive  thy  treason  'gainst  myself. 
But  those  foul  murders  never. 


CiECILU. 


79 


s. 


Almach.  I  liavo  decked 

A  temple  in  thy  honor  and  a  day 
Appointed  for  thy  worship. 

Alex.  Impious  knavo  I  • 

I'm  but  a  mortal,  nay,  a  plain,  blunt  soldier, 
And  no  IleliogabAlus,  for  I  lovo 
To  do  unto  all  others  as  I  would 
That  they  should  do  to  me.    My  Christians  e'er 
I- ve  found  the  noblest  and  most  faithful ;  why 
Dar'st  thou  then  lift  thy  murderous  hand  against  them  ? 
Thy  supplications  are  of  no  avail, 
Justice  must  have  its  course. 

Almach.  {^Draioing  a  dagger  and  attempting  to  stab  him.)   Ne- 
mesis then ! 

(Hercules  Maximin  grasps  him  hy  the  throaty  a 
slight  gurgle  is  heard^  he  relaxes  his  fingers^  and 
Alt* xcinvs  falls  back  on  the  stage,  strangled  and 
purple  in  the  face.) 

Alex.  Drag  forth  the  corse  !    Maximin's  grasp  is  death. 

(IVie  Guards  drag  away  the  body  0/ Almachius.) 

Now  bring  two  litters   hither.      {They  bring  two  Utters, 

draped  in  black,  and  place  them  beside  each  other  in  the 

centre.)    Raise  the  forms 

Of  those  fair  victims  tenderly  on  each. 

(r/w  Guards  lift  the  martyrs^  bodies  on  the  litters. 

Agnes  sinks  on  her  knees  beside  CiEciLiA,  burying 

her  face  in  her  hands.) 
How  calm  and  beautiful  in  death  !    Sweet  Peace 
Rests  on  the  placid  features  as  in  sleep. 
And  gilds  them  with  a  halo.    Gently  with  them 
To  Palatine,  and  in  its  richest  palace 


t, 


80 


CECILIA. 


Set  thorn  in  state,  that  every  Christian  may- 
Gaze  on  those  heroines  of  Faith  and  Christ. 
And  thou,  (embracing  Agnes,)  sweet  child,  wilt  thou  be 

mine  ?    I'll  try 
And  make  thee  happy,  though  Ccecilia's  gone. 
Thou'lt  be  my  child,  this  heart  is  warm  and  loving, 
And  every  wish  of  thine  will  gratify. 
Nay,  look  not  sorrowful,  g^ood  Niger,  thou 
Shalt  be  her  guardian,  too ;  to  thee  I'll  trust 
My  little  dove  if  aught  should  happen  me. 
Come,  Agnes,  grieve  not  thus  for  thy  dear  sist^rr, 
C^ecilia  shall  receive  the  funeral  rites 
Of  her  own  faith,  and  Rome  shall  mourn  her  loss. 
I'll  trust  no  more  those  Prefects  or  their  guards 
To  take  my  place  while  I  chastise  Rome's  foes. 
Those  Parthian  rebels  I  consign  to  thee, 
My  faithful  Goth  ;  away  to  Syria's  coast, 
And  take  this  sceptre  as  commission.    Tell 
My  gallant  legions  I  watch  o'er  them  yet. 
In  spirit  witness  to  their  brave  exploits, 
Rewarding  merit  still  with  liberal  hand, 
Punishing  crime  relentlessly,  and  when 
The  Parthians  swarm  around  them,  let  all  see 
My  white  plume  on  thy  helmet,  dancing  far 
[n  front  amid  the  battle's  surges.     Come, 
Our  melancholy  task  remains,  my  Agnes, 
Let's  on  to  Palatine.    "We'll  there  attend 
As  mourners.    Come,  my  child,  thy  father  waits  thee. 

(  Tlie  pall  hearers  take  up  the  biers  and  advance,  "cTien 
the  scene  op&n.s  above  at  hack,  showing  Quintilian, 
Valerian,  Tiburtius,  Urban,  Septimius, 
C^iciLiA  crowned,  Egeria  and  the  other  martyrs 
in  a  blaze  of  glory,  surrounded  by  angels,    Tht 


.'f'-^r^-^-y  :  \\r^v^i7 


.  ■>?;?■■.■*  r'T  -T7f- 


f.: 


oj:cilia. 


81 


Emperor  gazes  in  astonishment  and  admiration. 
Agnes  stretches  forth  her  hands  to  Cecilia. 


1. 

ia-JB^?-- 


'J 

r 

u 


Chorus  of  Unseen  Spikits. 

Hail,  virgin,  Heaven  welcomes  thee 

In  loud  and  joyous  tone, 
Among  her  saints  eternally 

To  sit  upon  thy  throne. 

The  Scene  Closes  upon  xHi;;  Tableau. 
CURTAIN. 


, .  <  _J  ^&  .^  ,^lu_.  ^ 


